Troops kill 2 ‘bandits’ in Davao Sur clash

DIGOS CITY, Philippines – Government forces on Friday killed two members of a notorious bandit group – believed to be associated with armed anti-mining B’laan warriors – during a clash in a remote village of Kiblawan town, Davao del Sur, the authorities said.

Captain Raul Villegas, public affairs officer of the 10th Infantry Division based in Compostela Valley, which also has jurisdiction over Davao del Sur, said the armed men could be part of a larger group, allegedly led by anti-mining B’laan leader Daguil Capion, that harassed a paramilitary detachment in the same village earlier this week, killing militia.

Villegas said that on Friday, armed bandits fired at patrolling soldiers, who immediately fired back and engaged the assailants in a running gun battle.

“Those killed on the enemy side were an Anting Peayay, and an alias Victor. The troops also recovered a .22 Magnum rifle and a 12-gauge Winchester shotgun alongside their bodies,” Villegas said.