4 rebels killed in Cagayan clash

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Philippines – Four suspected communist rebels were killed in a battle with the government soldiers early Thursday in Cagayan, the military said.

Colonel Loreto Magundayao of the 5th Infantry Division’s civil-military operations said that an Army reconnaissance platoon encountered 10 armed men believed to be part of the New People’s Army’s Danilo Ben Command at 5:30 a.m. Thursday in Barangay (village) San Miguel, Baggao.

The rebels were said to have been extorting money from the farmers in the village, said Major Harold Cabunoc of the Philippine Army.

The soldiers were fired upon while approaching the enemy’s position, triggering the firefight, Cabunoc said.

He said the 30-minute battle left no government casualties.  There was a however, a wounded civilian who was hit by a stray bullet in the abdomen.

Seized at the encounter site were two M-16 rifles and a shotgun. The bodies of the alleged rebels were taken to a funeral parlor for autopsy.