TACLOBAN CITY Leyte — At least one soldier was killed while two others were wounded when elements of the New People’s Army ambushed government troops at around 4 p.m. on November 20 at Sitio Calingatnan, Barangay San Pedro, Albuera, Leyte.

Sixteen soldiers of the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army under 1LT Almendras were aboard a KM450 vehicle on their way back to their headquarters from peace and development activities in the interior sitios of Albuera when they were ambushed by around 10 NPAs, Captain Dranreb Canto, information officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, reported.

The names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of their immediate families.

Colonel Rafael Valencia, the Brigade Commander of 802nd Brigade, said that his troops will continue hot pursuit operations on the perpetuators of the dastardly act.

The Brigade Commanded vowed to continue with the Peace and Development effort to help uplift the lives of the people in the area.

He further said that these sacrifices of the soldiers will not go in vain if everyone will join hands in working for a just and lasting peace. (PIA 8)