3 alleged NPA rebels slain in North Cotabato

From MindaNews (Jul 6): 3 alleged NPA rebels slain in North Cotabato

Three suspected New Peoples’ Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an hour-long firefight with government troops in a village in Magpet, North Cotabato, around 6 am on Friday, the Army said.

The 19th Infantry Battalion said the bodies of the slain rebels were brought to a funeral parlor in Poblacion, Magpet so relatives could identify them.

Lt. Col. Elrick Paraso, 19th IB commander, said his men were patrolling Barangay Don Panaca when around 20 rebels fired at them.

The soldiers fired back killing three guerrillas, he said.

He added no civilians were hurt during the encounter.

Paraso said the rebels withdrew towards the southern portion of the barangay.

The soldiers recovered recovered an M16 armalite rifle from the NPA, he said.

The encounter in Don Panaca came two weeks after two roadside bombs went off along the highway in Barangay Doles, also in Magpet, killing a soldier from the 19th IB and wounding five others.

The soldiers were onboard two military trucks and heading back towards Poblacion in Magpet. They were escorting government health workers who held a free dental and medical mission in Doles.

The Cotabato provincial government condemned the attack which was blamed on the NPA.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/07/3-alleged-npa-rebels-slain-in-north-cotabato/