DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed her sympathy to families of the two soldiers who were killed in an armed encounter in Paradise Embac, Paquibato Davao City, Saturday.
"It was a sad unfortunate incident for Davao City. We condole and symphatize with the families of the soldiers and we will be committed to the help and assist those who are wounded and those who died," Carpio said Monday, June 12.
The city mayor also thanked the families for letting their fathers and their brothers serve Davao City. Major Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), in a media interview, said among the casualties of the firefight between the military and New People's Army were Corporal Casidy Uday of Taguig and Private First Class (PFC) Freddie Delos Santos of Bicol.
Balagtey said that six were also wounded in action with one officer and five personnel. He said that the team of soldiers went to the area after the 16th Infantry battalion received reports that there is a consolidation of New People's Army in the area.
"So ito, ay kanilang inaksyunan at nirespondehan, as they go on patrol they were fired upon by the NPA, so nagkaroon ng intense exchange of fire. We are sad na nagkaroon tayo ng dalawang casualty. Ang families naman informed sa nangyari sa kanila," he said.
He added that the military have not recovered any casualty from their opponent's side but they were able to recover one M6F3, two jungle bags, civilian bag and an electrical wire intended for the improvised explosive device (IED). He said that the remains of the two soldiers are at Saint Peter's Funeral Home in Panacan. (KVC)