600 flee as ‘100 NPA rebels’ mass up near North Cotabato village

Antipas, North Cotabato (Wikipedia maps)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato — At least 600 residents of a remote village in Antipas, North Cotabato, left their homes on Thursday following the reported sighting of heavily armed men near the village.

Lt. Silver Belvis, the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 39th Infantry Battalion, said based on the report reaching them, New People’s Army (NPA) rebels had gone near Barangay Camutan, forcing at least 120 families to temporarily seek shelter at the town’s gymnasium.

North Cotabato Schools Division Superintendent Omar Obas said the evacuation also forced the suspension of classes in Camutan and in the nearby village of Malire.

Chief Inspector Rolando Dillera, the Antipas chief of police, said at least 100 rebels were seen in the peripheries of Camutan. SFM/rga

New People’s Army. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO