4 rebels dead in Bukidnon clash

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – At least four suspected communist rebels were killed and several others were wounded during an encounter with government troops in Bukidnon on Friday, the military said yesterday. 

Lt. Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commanding officer of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, said the fighting occurred when his men chanced upon the group of rebels in Sitio Abakahon, Barangay Nacabuklad, San Fernando town.  

“According to the residents in the area, four of the rebels were killed and many were wounded,” Cuerpo told The STAR. 

2nd Lt. Cirian Rosero was wounded and remains confined at a hospital.  

Cuerpo said the insurgents are believed to be members of the New People’s Army’s Sandatahang Platon Pampropaganda 3, Front Committee 6 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee under the leadership of Reynante Tumbalang, also known as Kumander Jigger. 

Personal belongings, assorted medical supplies and subversive documents were recovered from the scene, Cuerpo said.