Militia, two armed men killed in alleged NPAs attack in North Cotabato

September 23, 2017

A militiaman and two armed men were killed after alleged New People's Army (NPA) members attacked the members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in North Cotabato last Thursday.

1Lt. Silver Adell Belvis, Army's 39th Infantry Battalion Public Affairs Officer, said based on initial report the six CAFGU members of Salasang detachment were on their way home to Sitio Valencia, Brgy Sto Nino, Arakan, North Cotabato when they were attacked by armed men around 2:20pm.

He said the CAFGU were able to return fire and engaged the rebels in 10-minute firefight which resulted to the death of two rebels and Joel Batawan and the wounding of Jonathan Lasoy.

Belvis said after the attack the military and police forces conducted pursuit operation and recovered the cadaver of two rebels at the vicinity of Brgy. Sto Nino, Arakan, North Cotabato last Friday. "The troops of 39IB and Arakan police immediately conducted pursuit operation that led to the recovery of two NPA cadavers left by the fleeing rebels the following day," he said.

"Recovered from the possession of the two cadavers were a backpack containing battle dress uniform, subversive documents and live ammunition of caliber .45 pistol," he added.

Belvis said the two cadavers were brought to Alojado Funeral Homes. Robina Asido/DMS