Rebels attack Army detachment in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines — Communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked an Army detachment in a remote village in Arakan town in North Cotabato province at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, a police official said.

Captain Jose Marie Molina, Arakan town chief of police, said that as of noon on Monday a firefight was ongoing between government troops and suspected NPA rebels at the detachment in Sitio Katindu, Barangay Malibatuan.

“We cannot give you details at the moment but a firefight is going on,” Captain Molina told the Inquirer.

It was not clear whether there were already casualties from either side, Molina added.

Some residents have fled their homes and were taking refuge in nearby villages, while others were seeking shelter at the village hall.

In February, the village council of Malibatuan declared the NPA as persona non grata and vowed not to welcome rebels in their area. /cbb