13 New People's Army (NPA) militants, four Manobo guards and a Philippine soldier were killed and another was injured in a series of clashes in Prosperidad town in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday. This happened after some 70 heavily armed NPA guerillas in fatigue uniforms attacked the house of miner Datu Calpito Egua, a Manobo and a former NPA member.Egua, known as Datu Calpit, operates a gold processing plant in the area. He was also known as an anti-insurgency advocate. He was reportedly injured in the attack.
Captain Christian Uy said the militants' casualties were based on body count, adding that those killed were left by their comrades. He said, "There were also reports that the fleeing rebels carried some of their comrades who were killed during the clash while some were wounded."
Uy said the firefight lasted for two hours. The troops recovered nine high-powered firearms and a grenade launcher during its clearing operation.
Uy said more troops arrived in the area for reinforcement and encountered the militants around 6:30 a.m. in Barangay Awas where a soldier was killed and another was injured.
Uy said, "After the firefight, the rebels withdrew, while the troops together with the tribal warriors, recovered 12 cadavers of rebels and seven high powered firearms at the encounter site."
Uy said that troops belonging to the 3rd Infantry Battalion also encountered a militant unit in Barangay Hamogaway in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur. One NPA militant was killed.
Another clash also took place along national highway in Barangay Panaytay, Prosperidad between the NPA militants who had set up a checkpoint and personnel of the PNP's Special Action Force (SAF).
Uy said, "According to information, the encounter stemmed from tribesmen's refusal to allow the rebels to seek recruits in their community. As of now, our security forces with the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are still conducting its clearing operation and investigation in the area."