DAVAO CITY – A member of the government militia was killed when New People’s Army guerillas simultaneously attacked a Philippine Army detachment and a mining compound in Monkayo, Compostela Valley.
Lieutenant Coronel Francis Sibal, commander of the Civil Military Operations of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the NPAs attacked their Patrol Base in Banlag, Monkayo, at about 9pm Tuesday night, killing one CAA (Civilian Active Auxiliary) Jay Goc-ong.
Sibal said the NPAs mounted three road “vehicular blockades” one of which hit the Patrol Base, the other was in Barangay Olaycon near the mining company compound of Mayor Joselito Brillantes and another in Bankerohan Sur in the neighboring town of Montevista.
“These are the main thoroughfares where police and Army reinforcements will supposedly pass,” said Sibal.
Police Senior Superintendent Antonio Rivera, public information officer of the Philippine National Police Regional Office XI, said that one of Brillantes’ guards was also killed when the NPAs attacked.
“Based on the initial reports that we got, they (NPAs) were able to get many things and one of the Mayor’s guards was also killed but as to the details, we have yet to get a full report,” said Rivera.
Sibal said the Alpha Company of the 25th Infantry Battalion is currently on “hot pursuit” against the rebels.(davaotoday.com)
