50 families flee from NPA, Army clashes in North Cotabato
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines – At least 50 families (about 250 persons) fled their homes in two villages of Makilala, North Cotabato following Wednesday’s clash between soldiers and communist rebels that also injured one trooper, officials confirmed Thursday.
Eddie Buencosa, Makilala disaster risk reduction and management council officer, said the affected residents of barangays Tambis and New Baguio sought refuge in nearby villages as they fled the violence between elements of the 57th Infantry Battalion and New People’s Army rebels.
The rebels, according to army spokesperson 1Lt. Nasrullah Sema, were believed to be behind October’s ambush in Makilala, in which nine soldiers were killed.
He said one soldier was wounded in the fresh clash but the military could not say for sure if the rebels had suffered any casualty.
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