12 killed, 7 hurt in series of NPA attacks in Davao del Sur

MANILA, Philippines– At least 12 were killed and 7 others injured in a series of attacks by communist rebels in Matanao, Davao del Sur on Monday.

The Matanao Municipal Police Station was attacked by around 50 suspected members of New People’s Army at about 4:30a.m., said Major Jake Obligado of the 10th Civil Military Operations Battalion.

The attack was led by Felix Armodia, known as Jing, of the NPA’s Front 72. Two policemen were immediately killed in the attack. One more policeman who was earlier wounded in the attack died later in the day.

About 30 minutes later, rebels led by another group of Armodia attacked the Donganpekong military detachment “but was not successful.” Combined forces from the military and police launched pursuit operations which led to the arrest of nine members of NPA in Asbang village. They were already turned over to the police.

In a firefight after the pursuit, two rebels were killed in Saboy village.

Later at about 9 a.m., soldiers from the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion sent for reinforcements in Asbang village were hit by a landmine blast also set up by the NPA. This killed seven soldiers and left seven others wounded. Identities of the casualties were withheld pending family notification.

The wounded government troops were brought to Digos Doctors Hospital and Medical Center of Digos Cooperative for treatment.

Only last week, 17 soldiers and civilians were injured in a landmine explosion put up by the communist rebels in Bansalan town also in Davao del Sur. A convoy of ambulances that were set to rescue wounded soldiers from a landmine blast were also hit by a bomb.

“As we can see, they are still not over the use of landmines despite our clamor,” Captain William Rodriguez of the 1002nd Brigade said.

Originally posted at 2:30 pm | Monday, March 10, 2014