12 killed as NPA rebels attack police and military outposts in Davao Sur

(Updated 3:46 p.m.) KIDAPAWAN CITY –  Twelve people, including 10 government security forces and two New People's Army rebels, were killed while nine others were wounded following successive attacks by armed insurgents on police and military outposts in Davao del Sur Monday.

 

Captain William Rodriguez, spokesperson of the Army's 1002nd Brigade said the first incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. when at least 50 rebels fired on a police detachment in Matanao town. Three police officers died while two others were injured in the incident.

 

According to a military report, the rebels were clad in Army camouflage uniforms and were on board a jeepney, a forward and elf truck at the time of the attack. The rebels were reportedly under the command of one Felix Armodia of the NPA's Front 72.

 

The rebels attempted to take over the post and steal the firearms in the detachment, but the policemen were able to defend their position. It was not immediately known how many police officers were on duty at the time of the attack.

Second attack

 

Meanwhile, another group of rebels, also under Armodia, attacked an Army detachment in Barangay Donganpekong also in Matanao town around 5 a.m. A pursuit operation by joint police and Army's 39th Infantry Battalion resulted in the arrest of nine suspected rebels in Barangay Asbang.

 

 

Rodriguez said pursuit operations against the rebels are ongoing. — Ferdinandh Cabrera and Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News