Cotabato clashes leave 10 casualties

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Security forces clashed with communist rebels before dawn Monday leaving at least 10 people dead and wounded in North Cotabato’s Makilala town in southern Philippines, army officials said.

Officials said at least 3 New People’s Army rebels were slain in the fighting that erupted in the village called Luayon. One pro-government militia was also killed in the clash that left six of his companions wounded.

Soldiers and policemen recovered the bodies of the dead while the injured were brought to hospital, but their medical conditions remain unknown and officials would not give the names of the casualties.

However, police released the identities of the dead militia as Jolito Apala, and the other wounded as Joel Daguan, Edgar Delima, Jose Angcog, Oligario Rollurta, Raffy Aguanan at Jimmy Gonzaga, all members of the Civilian Active Auxiliary under the military’s supervision.

The 39^th Infantry Battalion said rebels attacked a detachment manned by the militias and a firefight ensued. Soldiers who came to the rescue of the militias engaged the gunmen in a running gun battle.

It was unclear how many rebels took part in the raid and the NPA has not released any statement on the daring attack, but its leaders have repeatedly vowed to intensify their offensives across the troubled region following the collapse of the peace talks last year.

The rebels have been waging a secessionist war for many decades now and there is no indication the communist insurgency would be resolved during President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration or until his term ends in 2022. (Rhoderick Beñez) 

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