Communist militants killed one Philippine soldier and injured another in separate clashes, officials said on Sunday. The officials said New People’s Army militants attacked a soldier in Zamboanga del Sur’s Guipos town.Capt. Franco Suelto, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said, "The soldier managed to return fire but was out-numbered by rebels and he sustained gunshot wounds on his chest and head that caused his instantaneous death. Troops of 53rd Infantry Battalion Immediately responded in the area found the lifeless body of the victim without his issued firearms."
He said the slain soldier was also a member of the army’s peace and development team involved in various humanitarian programs in the province.
Suelto said one soldier was also injured in a clash over the weekend in the village of Midatag in Leon Postigo town in Zamboanga del Norte province. He said troops were patroling the village when they encountered a group of militants and a firefight broke out. The fighting lasted over 20 minutes.