2 soldiers, civilian wounded in clash with NPA in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Two soldiers belonging to the 19th Infantry Battalion and a civilian were wounded in a clash with New People’s Army (NPA) along the boundaries of Antipas, Arakan and Magpet towns of North Cotabato on Tuesday.

Police Captain Jose Marie Molina, said Corporals William Agno and Jerome Sarayno were evacuated by a military helicopter to the hospital from the clash site at Sitio Tiwayan in Barangay Badiangon, Arakan, where the troops had a firefight with the rebels at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday.

A civilian named Jonel Bayaan, who was tending to his farm and farm animals in the area was also wounded during the clash.

The soldiers were rushed to the Antipas Medical Center while Bayaan was brought to the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Barangay Amas here.

Molina said thousands of residents fled their homes and took refuge in the village hall of Badiangon in Arakan because of the clashes.

Police Captain Bernard Abarquez, the chief of police of nearby Antipas, said some residents of nearby Barangay Malire also left their homes and took refuge at the barangay hall where they felt safe.