Rebels gun down CAFGU member

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Members of the New People's Army gunned down a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental at 1 p.m. Sunday, the military said yesterday.

A press statement from the 303rd Infantry Brigade, based in Murcia town, said CAFGU member Uldarico Lumahan, 38, was waylaid and gunned down by three unidentified assailants, believed to be NPA members, at Barangay Mahalang in Himamaylan City.

Lumahan, a CAFGU member of the 12th Infantry Battalion, died on-the-spot with a lone gunshot wound on the head from an undetermined firearm, according to Superintendent Antonietto Cañete, Himamaylan city Police chief.

Cañete said the motive of the killing was reportedly job-related. Witnesses in the area reported that the perpetrators immediately fled after killing Lumahan, he said.

Troops from the 11th Infantry Battalion, based in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, conducted pursuit operations against the perpetrators.

However, an armed clash ensued between the military and the rebels at Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan City ast about 3:50 p.m. on Monday.

A platoon, led by 1st Lieutenant Francis Salcedo, encountered about 20 rebels and the 15-minute fire fight resulted in the wounding of Private First Class Ronald Dejilla, who was hit on both legs.

Dejilla was immediately brought to the Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan, and was later transferred to the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod for operation. He is now in stable condition, the military added. (FREEMAN)