“The Matanao Municipal Station was attacked by about 50 members of the NPA Front 72 under Felix Armodia alias Jing at about 4:30 a.m.,” Captain William Rodriguez of the 1002nd Brigade said.
The rebels, which donned “army camouflage” uniforms, used a jeepney, a forward and elf truck. Two of the policemen were killed as they tried to preempt the entry of the NPA. Three policemen were also wounded.
A half hour later at about 5 a.m., the NPA attacked the Donganpekong military detachment, also in Matanao.
Two were killed on the NPA side, Rodriguez said.
Police and military launched pursuit operations against the rebels.—With Orlando Dinoy of Inquirer Mindanao