TWO soldiers were killed when suspected members of New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed them the other day in Balba-lan, Kalinga.

This was confirmed yesterday by Col. Miguel Puyao, assistant chief of staff forcivil operation and spokesman of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division.

Puyao identified the fatalities as Cpl. Jeffrey Delos Santos  and Pfc. Micholle Alipio, both members of 1st Platoon, Alpha Company of the 5th Infantry Division of Civil Military Operations Group.

He said the ambush occurred at around 6 a.m. in Dao-anga, Balbalan, Kalinga.

Initial investigation showed that the soldiers were dispatched to the area to conduct medical mission when they were ambushed by members of the Sandatahang Yunit Proppaganda-3 of Kilusang Larangang Guerilla-Baggas, Ilocos, Cordillera Regional Committee.

Authorities are pursuing the fleeing rebels.