4 killed, 6 militiamen wounded as suspected NPAs harass detachment in North Cotabato

January 22, 2018

Four people were killed while six militiamen were wounded after alleged New People’s Army members (NPA) harassed a Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment in North Cotabato on Monday.

Lt. Lea Canseran, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, said based on initial report the Luayon CAFGU detachment based at Brgy. Luayon, Makilala, North Cotabato was attacked by more or less 20 rebels around 12:15 am.

Caseran said the firefight that lasted for abour two hours resulted in the death of CAFGU member Julito Apala and wounding of six other CAFGU members.

“CAA Julito Apala’s cadaver was immediately brought to Collado Funeral Homes for proper disposition and CAA Jimmy Gonzaga who sustained major injury was immediately brought to Kidapawan Doctors Hospital for medical assistance,” she said.

Caseran added three alleged rebels were killed during the clash.

“NPA terrorists withdrew to different directions with their undetermined numbers of wounded comrades and pitilessly left their three dead comrades at the detachment,” she said.

“This attack done by NPA members had just prove themselves being called 'terrorists' without having in their minds the respect for the culture and tradition of the people of Makilala, North Cotabato,” she added. Robina Asido/DMS