A SOLDIER was killed while conducting a rescue mission in Monkayo for the abducted Corporal Dominador Alegre.

In a bid to rescue the beleaguered comrade, Private Joel Quijano died following a clash with New People's Army (NPA) members in sitio Palina, Barangay San Isidro around 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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Colonel Eduardo del Rosario, chief of the Army's 1003rd Brigade, which has operational jurisdiction over Monkayo town, expressed his grief over the incident and sent his condolences to the family of the slain soldier.

Del Rosario lauded the soldier's effort and sacrifice saying, "Private Quijano is a hero who sacrificed his life to save a fellow from the hands of terrorists. This reflects the dedication of our soldiers to their sworn duty and service to the nation."

In their efforts to rescue Alegre, del Rosario said "we assure the family of Corporal Alegre that we will do everything we can to rescue him. The death of one of our soldiers only emboldened our troops to ensure that Cpl. Alegre is rescued the soonest possible time."

The NPA currently hold captive another soldier, Sgt. Frederick Gayla whom they abducted in 2007. Proofs of life of Cpl. Alegre and Sgt. Gayla have not been shown by the communist rebels since the time of abduction.

In Maragusan town, a rebel died while being brought by a chopper to an Army hospital together with a wounded Army soldier.

The two were both airlifted by an Airforce chopper following a clash by soldiers of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion against the NPA in Barangay Bahi, Maragusan in Compostela Valley around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Reports reaching army headquarters in Davao City state that soldiers desperately tried to save the life of the wounded NPA member together with the injured soldier but the former expired while on air.

Col. Romeo Calizo, chief of the Army's 1003rd Brigade, expressed his sadness on the death of the rebel.

"We commiserate with the family of our brother who was lured into believing a lost cause. It is unfortunate that we have to face such misery when we can live together peacefully if these armed groups will just realize the damage they are doing to our country and lay down their arms in the spirit of reconciliation," Calizo said.

Calizo also lauded the humanitarian efforts of the soldiers to save the life of the unidentified terrorist.

"This shows the compassion of our soldiers and their respect to International Humanitarian Law. Our soldiers did the best they can even to the point of bringing him up to the chopper first before our wounded soldier just to make sure he is airlifted to the hospital," he added.

The wounded soldier was identified as Pvt. Varion Jun Camarillo while the identity of the dead NPA cannot be ascertained as of press time due to absence of identification papers.

Three rebels were also captured during the firefight and are undergoing process for the filing of appropriate charges.

Authorities also recovered four high powered firearms from the possession of the terrorists which include three M-16 and one M-14 rifles. (Ben O. Tesiorna)