3 killed, 2 wounded as the military engaged armed ‘bandits’ in Bukidnon

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 28): 3 killed, 2 wounded as the military engaged armed ‘bandits’ in Bukidnon

Three killed, including a six-year-old child and two others wounded as the military engaged a group of armed “bandits” in Bukidnon, the military reported Thursday.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said that the fighting started Wednesday morning in the hinterlands of Kaulayanan, a remote village in Lirongan, Talakag, Bukidnon.

Albert Bigcas, the municipal officer of Talakag, identified only two of the fatalities as Michael Sibot, and Mary Jane Talian, 6, all of Kaulayanan.

Bigcas said that the identity of the third fatality believed to be among the armed group remains unknown but has been transported to the municipal town of Talakag.

Only one of the wounded suspect was identified as Rommel Talian, who sustained a bullet wound in the leg, while the other wounded was taken along by the withdrawing armed group.

He said that over 100 individuals, including women and children, have trekked down to the town’s evacuation center since Wednesday as fighting rages in the area.

Bigcas said that the evacuees, who expressed the fear of being caught in the crossfire, would only return to the village after the military leave the area.

Martinez said that the military sent a team to Kaulayanan after receiving reports about the presence of the armed groups in the village.

He said that a 10-minute firefight ensued when the armed group fired upon the approaching government troopers.

Martinez said that the armed group withdrew, leaving one homemade improvised 12 gauge shotgun and one homemade improvised 12 gauge pistol-type shotgun including the body of the unidentified lawless member.

Col. Jesse A Alvarez, Commander of the Army 403rd Infantry Brigade, described the armed group as “lawless elements” who are making the lives of the people miserable.

Alvarez also disclosed the surrender of one of the wounded armed suspects identified as Rommel Talian who turned over a Garand rifle with nine magazines and 68 live ammunitions.

He said that the government troopers immediately administered first aid treatment to Talian prior to being transported to the nearest medical facility in Talakag.

Alvarez said that the local police have started investigating the incident and have filed charges with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against the suspects.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=880587