[Inquirer] Two Philippine soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected New People's Army militants in Batangas province on Friday evening. Major Angelo Guzman said the two soldiers were riding a motorcycle in Calaca when the militants fired upon them. Both troopers died at the scene.Guzman said the attack was believed to be in retaliation for the death of five NPA guerrillas who were killed in an clash with troops in Batangas on Wednesday. The slain Maoist militants were part of a guerrilla unit from Mindoro Island that had moved to Batangas in preparation for the collection of permit to campaign fee from election candidates.
Lieutenant General Ricardo Visaya on Wednesday said the military would deploy additional forces to Batangas to stop the communist insurgents from regaining their lost base in the province. He also said security forces were ready to provide security for political candidates in next year's elections against harassment and extortion by the NPA.