Bandit killed in North Cotabato clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 22): Bandit killed in North Cotabato clash

Joint military and police units shot and killed an alleged member of a lawless group and recovered three high-powered rifles during an encounter in Makilala, North Cotabato Sunday morning.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the incident took place 5:30 a.m. at Barangay Biangan at said town.

Security forces were conducting clearing operations in the area after a truck driver from the Santos Land Development Corporation on Saturday afternoon reported that unidentified men tried to extort money from his construction firm.

Responding troopers and police engaged them in a brief encounter but lost track of the bandits prompting them to conduct another operation Sunday morning.

Around 5:30 a.m. of January 22, government forces engaged another armed group in the same municipality, killing one and recovering three automatic rifles in a 30-minute encounter.

Batchar said the body of the slain lawless element was also recovered.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing as of this time.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=957259