7 killed as rebels storm Army base in Agusan Sur

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines– Six suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas and a militiaman were killed in a five-hour firefight between the government troops and the rebels who attacked an Army base in Sibagat town, Agusan del Sur the other day.

Major Leo Bongosia, spokesman for the 4th Infantry ‘Diamond’ Division, identified the slain militiaman as Ian Venculado, of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU). Another CAFGU member identified as Edwin Sepron was wounded in the encounter. Both were assigned in Barangay Banag-Banag patrol base of the 26th Infantry Battalion.

Bongosia said at least 40 rebels armed with AK-47, rifles and M-203 grenade launchers attacked the Army outpost manned by three soldiers and 35 CAFGU men at about 5 a.m. Friday.

Sibagat is about 19 kilometers away from Butuan City but the village of Banag-Banag is about 36 kilometers from the town proper.

Bongosia said as fighting intensified, the government forces managed to call for reinforcement, which arrived backed by two attack helicopters.

The arrival of the reinforcement forced the insurgents to flee, taking with them their dead and wounded comrades.

Pursuing Army and Air Force men found trails of blood along the rebels’ escape route. – With Jaime Laude