3 killed in rebel attack in Bukidnon

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte – Three civilians were killed by armed men described by the military as New People’s Army guerrillas, who sacked a village in Bukidnon early Sunday.

Eddie Gawahan, Germinia Yanda and her son Jonnel were shot dead by a band of 20 NPA members, who swooped down on the village of San Abel in Talakag early Sunday, according to Capt. Christian Uy, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro-based 4th Infantry Division.

Under the cover of darkness, the guerrillas roused residents as they barged into houses, Uy told the Inquirer by mobile phone.

“They ransacked houses, looking for a certain Eddie Gawahan…. After a few minutes, gunshots were heard and (the three victims) were found dead. They were all civilians,” Uy said, adding the assailants then fled after the attack.

He could not ascertain, however, if all the victims were in the same house when they were shot.

The military spokesman said soldiers had gone after the rebels while the police were trying to determine the motive for the attack.

Uy said the attack was meant “to sow terror in the communities no longer supporting” the rebel cause.