(Update) 18 killed in botched rebel attack in Agusan del Sur

From the Philippine Star (Jul 15): (Update) 18 killed in botched rebel attack in Agusan del Sur

Eighteen people, 13 of them rebels, four security guards, and a soldier, were killed after a botched New People's Army (NPA) attack against the home of a mining company owner in Prosperidad City, Agusan Del Sur Tuesday morning.

Also wounded in the series of encounters was one soldier, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

The assault against the home of Datu Calpito Egua, a mining firm owner and known anti-insurgency advocate took place around 5:30 a.m. in Barangay Sta. Irine, Prosperidad City.

An estimated 70 rebels took part in the attack which lasted for two hours, Zagala stated.

In the course of the fighting, an initial 12 rebels were killed along with four of Egua's Manobo security guards.

Responding government troops prompted the NPA band to left behind the body of their dead along with seven high-powered firearms.

In the attack, Egua was slightly wounded.

Blocking operations were launched 6:30 a.m. in Barangay Awa also in Prosperidad. Ensuing encounters with the rebel band resulted in the death of a soldier while another was wounded.

Aside from this, reinforcement troops from the 3rd Special Forces Battalion encountered an undetermined number of NPA rebels in Barangay Hamugaway, three kilometers east of Bayugan City.

One NPA was killed and a high-powered firearm was recovered shortly after the clash.

Zagala said the rebels flagged down passenger buses and used them to block the Bayugan and Panaytay Highway.

Sta. Irine is already cleared by government troops while firefight is on-going in Bayugan and Panaytay boundary.

A report from civilians rescued by soldiers mentioned that they were held hostage by the NPA rebels and taken to Bayugan One Hamugaway as human shields.

4th Infantry Division Commander MGen Ricardo Visaya said that the joint military and police elements in the area are in control.

“We are still undertaking combat and pursuit operations to ensure that both Bayugan and Panaytay and nearby areas are cleared of attacking communist rebels,” he said.

Meanwhile, another encounter occurred in Zapantay Valley, Barangay Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte when elements of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion figured against NPA rebels that raided the Municipal Police Station in Alegria.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=662751