(Eagle News)– Two members of the Philippine Marines were killed on Wednesday (July 19) in Roxas, Palawan during an attack allegedly carried out by communist rebels.
Palawan police director Senior Superintendent Gabriel Lopez said the slain soldiers were from Marine Battalion Landing Team 12 stationed in Roxas.
“Our field personnel in Roxas are still investigating in the area, but initial reports said the two Marines were shot around 8:15 in the morning,” Lopez said.
Initial reports said the soldiers were just buying supplies, including food, in nearby Barangay Magara.
The slain Marines were identified by a police report as Private First Class Joene Galiste and Private James Melchor Porol.
Lopez added the attack could be in retaliation for the capture of an alleged rebel training camp in Barangay Samariñana in southern Palawan last month. It could also be part of the NPA’s activities against the government, in view of the earlier pronouncement that they would step up attacks before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.
