Militiaman killed, another wounded in NPA attacks in Agusan Sur, Surigao Sur

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – A militiaman was killed and another was wounded in yet another series of attacks by alleged communist rebels in Mindanao, authorities on Sunday said.

An undetermined number of NPA rebels harassed a patrol base of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in Sitio (sub-village) Greenfield, Sta. Juana village, Tagbina town, in Surigao del Sur on Saturday, leaving a militiaman wounded, Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesperson of the army’s 4th Infantry Division, said in a statement.

The attack also resulted in casualties on the NPA side, according to residents who had seen the fleeing rebels dragging their wounded comrades after a brief fire fight with the militiaman defending the patrol base, Lt. Julito Borces, civil military operations chief of the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion, said.

“Prior to the harassment, residents said armed men were conducting extortion activities at their community,” said Borces, adding troops have been pursuing the rebels.

Barely a day before, alleged NPA rebels had executed an off-duty Cafgu member in Sta. Josefa town, in Agusan del Sur.

Four armed men took 44-year-old Danilo Bacudan to a forested area in Awao village and shot him dead there past 2 p.m. on Friday, Supt. Martin Gamba, spokesperson of Caraga police regional office, said.

The victim, a member of 16th CAA (Cafgu Active Auxiliary) under the Charlie Company of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion, was having a drinking session with relatives outside his home when he was taken at gunpoint, Gamba said.

“He reportedly tried to escape,” said Gamba. The victim suffered gunshot wounds in the head and leg.

Gamba said investigators have recovered empty shells and deformed slugs from bullets of AK-47 rifle and .45 caliber pistol at the site of the killing.

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