THREE soldiers and a Cafgu member were wounded in an encounter with members of New People’s Army (NPA) the other day in Lingig, Surigao del Sur.

Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV identified the victims as Staff Sgt. Ronnie Gaylon, Sgt. Joel Igbus, Private Jerson Sumagaysay and Cafgu member Beny Sumaganday, both members of Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion (IB).

Osias said the encounter occurred at around 12:40 p.m. in Sitio Pamian, Bgy. Bogac, Lingig.

Investigators said government forces were on combat operation in the area when they encountered an undetermined number of rebels belonging to Guerilla Front 20 of Pulang Bagani Command.

A firefight ensued that lasted for about an hour resulted in the wounding of four government troopers.

Osias said those rebels encountered by government troopers were responsible for burning five dump trucks and three hauler trucks loaded with coal mine owned by Bislig Ventures in Bislig City on Monday.

Recovered at the scene was a landmine left by rebels.

Authorities are conducting follow-up investigation into the incident.