16 killed in clash between NPA rebels and Manobo tribesmen
New People’s Army. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Philippines — At least 12 New People’s Army rebels were killed in clash with Manobo tribal warriors in Prosperidad town on Tuesday morning, the military reported.
Colonel Henry Dar, deputy commander of the Philippine Army’s 401st Brigade, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview that the clash started when the rebels attacked the house of Datu Kalpit in the village of Sta. Irene.
The tribal warriors fought back, killing 12 rebels, Dar said. Four tribal warriors were also killed, he added.
“The NPAs have used all of their forces in Surigao and Agusan del Sur area to conduct the attack,” Major General Ricardo Visaya, 4th Infantry Division Commander, said. “This is a proof that their armed group is diminishing in numbers.”
Visaya added that their intelligence officers had knowledge of the impending attack and that the Manobo tribesmen had the time to arm themselves that led to a two hour firefight.
Meanwhile, an army soldier was also killed in a separate encounter in the village of Hamogaway, also in Prosperidad. With a report from Bong Lozada, INQUIRER.net
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