Army mourns soldier’s death during storm in Samar

The Philippine Army is mourning the death of a soldier involved in military operations against communist insurgents at the height of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine's (international name: Trami) onslaught in Paranas, Samar. Troopers found the body of Private Boyet Bugtong Thursday noon, a day after floodwaters carried him away in Anagasi village. 'We are saddened by his demise as he died in the line of duty. He was one of the soldiers deployed to the area to conduct focused military operations since there were recent sightings of rebels in the area,' 8th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Jefferson Mariano said in a phone interview on Friday. At the height of the storm, the troops were deployed to assist villagers affected by floods. Samar province is one of the areas in Eastern Visayas battered by Kristine. Strong winds and floods affected 528,103 people in 717 villages when the storm crossed the region this week. Source: Philippines News agency