2 hurt as rebels shoot at Army camp in Davao del Norte

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—A soldier and a civilian were injured when suspected New People’s Army rebels fired on an Army camp in a remote village outside Panabo City late Thursday, officials said Friday.

Senior Superintendent Edgardo Wycoco, Davao del Norte police chief, said the incident happened around 8:30 p.m. when an undetermined number of NPA rebels strafed the headquarters of the 69th Infantry Battalion in Dalisay, some 25 kilometers from the Panabo City center.

A soldier, identified only as Private First Class Cornelio, and an unidentified civilian, were slightly injured and were immediately rushed to local hospitals for treatment, according to Lieutenant Colonel Alfredo Patarata, 69th IB commander.

“The troops were able to defend their position, prompting the rebels to withdraw after a brief firefight,” Patarata said, adding “the violent action was aimed at intimidating civilians who are supportive of the 69th IB’s presence in their barangay.”

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, remains very active in the Southern Mindanao region, which is made up of the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley; and the cities of Tagum, Panabo, Davao, Digos and Samal.

On Tuesday, a militiaman was killed in a brief clash with rebels in Marilog district in Davao City.

On Monday, a clash also took place in Malita, Davao del Sur, in which a soldier was wounded.