2 soldiers hurt in NPA attack in North Cotabato

MAGPET, North Cotabato – Two soldiers were wounded, one of them in critical condition, after suspected communist guerillas ambushed them in a hinterland village here, on Friday.
Wounded were identified as Corporal Nuran Rajabuayan and Private First Class Wilfredo Ligsay, both elements of the Charlie Company under the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion.
Reports said the victims, on board two separate motorcycles, were on their way to the barracks when waylaid by gunmen believed to be members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA), at Barangay Noa, Magpet, around 1030 a.m., Friday.
The victims have just finished a peace and development outreach program (PDOP), a special project of the Philippine Army that aims to win the ‘hearts’ and ‘minds’ of the communities, especially those influenced by the rebels.
Both were rushed to the Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center in Kidapawan City for treatment.
Rajabuayan was hit on his right thigh and arms, while Ligsay on his back.
Ligsay, according to reports, still remains at the hospital’s intensive care unit.
The Philippine Army in North Cotabato condemned the attack saying the victims were wearing civilian clothes.
The fact that they were not bringing their firearms when they went to the community showed they were not in a war mode,” said an Army officer.
The ambush in Barangay Noa was the second violent incident believed to be perpetrated by the NPAs in North Cotabato, since early June.
On June 6, at least five gunmen who identified themselves as members of the NPA Front 53 Cotabato-Bukidnon Operational Command executed a rebel-returnee-turned-military asset in Barangay Labu-o, President Roxas.