Soldier assisting DENR wounded in NPA attack

MILITARY TROOPS assisting Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel in Brooke’s Point, Palawan were attacked on Monday by suspected members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), leaving one soldier wounded. In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the soldiers were conducting security operations in an area being monitored by the DENR for reported “rampant illegal logging.” The AFP said, “it was unfortunate… that the Communist Terrorists have chosen to disrupt the enforcement of environmental laws by government authorities.” The attack was carried out by five NPA members at around 10:20 in the morning, according to AFP. More troops have been deployed to the area to pursue the NPAs who fled in “different directions” following the 10-minute exchange of fire. The wounded soldier is already in stable condition, the military said.