TACLOBAN CITY – The military mourned the death of a 27-year-old soldier in a clash with the New People's Army in an upland barangay in Matuguinao, Samar on Saturday, May 4.
THE town of Matuguinao is located in the northeastern part of Samar.
Capt. Jefferson Mariano of the 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office said that Corporal Arvien Pajanustan of the 19th Infantry Battalion and a resident of Taft, Eastern Samar offered the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Samar to attain lasting peace.
Pajanustan died from a bullet wound in the gun battle with over 10 communist rebels led by a certain Tigeo dela Cruz in Barangay San Roque.
The area has been subject to focused military operations due to recent sightings of NPA rebels in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged area.
Pajanustan left his wife, a public school teacher, and two young children.