13 killed as NPA rebels attack Army post

MANILA, Philippines – Three militiamen, eight New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and two civilians were killed in a firefight that ensued after the insurgents attacked a military detachment in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon yesterday, the military said.

Maj. Michele Anayron, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based at Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, said fighting broke out when two truckloads of NPA rebels swooped down on an Army patrol base in Barangay Zamboanguita at around 12:30 p.m.

Despite outnumbered, the government militiamen fought back, killing eight rebels but losing three of their colleagues in the firefight that lasted for almost two hours. Three other militiamen were wounded in the clash.   – Jaime Laude