A Philippine soldier was killed in an ambush Friday by communist rebels in the town of Guipos in Zamboanga del Sur province.Captain Jefferson Somera said the soldiers were heading to their headquarters on a motorcycle when New People's Army rebels attacked them in the village of Magting. He said Corporal Danilo Saavedra was hit in the back and did return fire, but eventually died from his injury.
Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, condemned the killing of the soldier. He said, "This action of the enemy manifests their anti-development and anti-peace programs. Our troops were there to uplift the socio-economic condition of our fellows but were fired upon in a desperate attempt to disrupt them. This incident will not stop the 1st Infantry Division to bring peace and development in every community."