Cafgu killed in encounter with rebels in remote Misamis village

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 9): Cafgu killed in encounter with rebels in remote Misamis village

Camp Bancasi, Butuan City – A member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) was killed while another CAA member was wounded after government forces engaged a band of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a 30-minute battle in the hinterland village of Farmbugas in Claveria town, Misamis Oriental, a sketchy report reaching the military advance command post (ACP) here yesterday stated.

The report also said that residents of the far-flung barangay saw the insurgents carrying their dead and wounded comrades as they fled to the mountains.

“Marami ding casualty na inakay sa mga nagtakbuhang mga rebelde” (many casualties were also brought along by the running rebels), claimed Capt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez, regional Army spokesman of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID), quoting the initial report coming from the field.

The 4th ID spokesperson identified the slain militiaman as CAA Rafael L. Tantuhan. Renford Basilan was also hit by gunfire during the encounter and is now recovering in a local hospital.

The gun battle took place when soldiers of the First Special Forces Battallion, accompanied by the CAA force, engaged the heavily-armed NPAs in the hinterland area of Barangay Farmbugas in Claveria town.

“Our troops were conducting security patrol when they encountered members of guerrilla-Front Committee 4-B of the CPP-NPA Northern Mindanao regional Committee (NMRC),” Capt. Martinez said.

However, he said the rebels withdrew after almost 30-minute heavy gunfight, sensing that reinforcing troops from nearby areas were coming.

“As of this time, massive and wide pursuit operation is still ongoing,” added Martinez as troops from the 403rd Infantry Brigade pressed on with their pursuit of the rebels near Claveria town.

http://www.mb.com.ph/cafgu-killed-in-encounter-with-rebels-in-remote-misamis-village/