Army-NPA clash displaces more than 200 people in Matalam, Cotabato

From GMA News (Oct 28, 2020): Army-NPA clash displaces more than 200 people in Matalam, Cotabato (By WILLIAMOR MAGBANUA)

KIDAPAWAN CITY — At least 51 families or 255 individuals have fled their homes in a remote barangay in Matalam, Cotabato as the Army troops and New People’s Army guerrillas clashed over the weekend.

Soldiers claimed that an insurgent was killed in the firefight.

Brigadier General Roberto Capulong, 602nd Brigade commander, said the troops were on foot patrol in Barangay Arakan's Sitio Rudson when the rebels fired at them, triggering a gun battle.

Government troops recovered an M16 rifle, live ammunition, two mobile phones and several subversive documents.

Barangay Arakan chairman Haron Mantawil said the evacuees --temporarily in the brangay covered court --need mats, mosquito nets, water and food, including hygiene.

Mantawil said the villagers are still afraid to return home as tension remains high because the army are still doing pursuit operations against the NPA rebels.

“We are still waiting for a go signal from the authorities when will be safe to go home,” Mantawil said.

North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco, visited the displace families and distributed food packs and sacks of rice for the evacuees.

“What we want is a peace of mind of our people. We urge both the military and the rebels to spare the civilians from any harm,” the governor appealed.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/761711/army-npa-clash-displaces-more-than-200-people-in-matalam-cotabato/story/