NPA storms Cafgu post

TAGUM CITY

NEW PEOPLE’S Army rebels stormed and overran a militia outpost in a remote village of Monkayo, Compostela Valley, early Monday.
The rebels briefly took a soldier hostage and seized firearms at the outpost.

Simon Santiago, a rebel spokesperson, confirmed the assault, saying the rebels seized at least 18 rifles from the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit detachment in Barangay Casoon. No one was hurt in the attack. Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao

38 fishermen rescued

ILAGAN, Isabela

AT LEAST 38 fishermen were rescued off northern Cagayan on Monday, police said.

Chief Supt. Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police director, said Philippine Navy personnel, policemen and volunteers were scouring the waters of Claveria, Cagayan, and Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, to look for Marvin Agarpao, 24, who went missing on Monday afternoon.

Damian said the fishermen, aboard 14 boats, left Claveria at 4 a.m. but ran into waves as tall as houses. A boat capsized.

Damian said four fishermen, who were originally part of the group, were able to return to shore and reported that their companions were still out in the sea. Most of the fishermen were found along the shoreline of Santa Praxedes town. Villamor Visaya Jr., Inquirer Northern Luzon

Unlicensed guns seized

NAGA CITY

THE MILITARY said it seized at least 23 unlicensed firearms that authorities said were to be used in the 2010 elections by politicians in Masbate.

Maj. Harold Cabunoc, spokesperson of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division based in Camp Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Sur, said the group of 1st Lt. Anthony Purugganan seized the firearms at a checkpoint in Barangay Armenia in Uson, Masbate, at about 9:45 a.m.

Masbate is in the Commission on Elections’ list of election trouble spots. Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Inquirer Southern Luzon

2 slain in highway attack

KIDAPAWAN CITY

TWO MEN were killed and another was wounded in an attack on a highway in Banisilan, North Cotabato, police said.

Killed were Robert Kaduli and Noel Valenzuela. Police have yet to determine the motive for the attack. Carlo C. Agamon, Inquirer Mindanao