KIDAPAWAN CITY—Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a clash with government forces in the town of President Roxas, Cotabato province on Monday (Feb. 8), according to police.
Col. Henry Villar, Cotabato provincial police director, identified the slain guerrillas as Buenaventura Dawal, Menandro Villanueva and a certain Alambro.
Villar said Dawal is executive committee chair of NPA’s Southern Mindanao regional committee.
He said police and military were serving warrants of arrest against the guerrillas at a village in President Roxas when the rebels resisted arrest and opened fire at the arresting team. The suspected guerrillas were all killed on the spot.
Villar accused the slain rebels of preying on farmers in President Roxas and the towns of Arakan and Magpet, also in Cotabato.
Police said Dawal and Villanueva were wanted for multiple murder, armed robbery and other crimes, which were listed on the warrant issued by Judge Maria Theresa Camanong, of Branch 9 of the Regional Trial Court of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon province.
Police said the suspected guerrillas had been carrying an M-16 assault rifle, a Carbine and a .45 caliber pistol.
Soldiers of the 602nd Infantry Brigade were on heightened alert for retaliatory attacks.