CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Two suspected communist rebels, including a woman, were killed in two separate encounters with government troops in Barangay Minalwang in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, the military said yesterday.
The clashes occurred on Nov. 18 and 19, according to a statement released by the Army’s Fourth Infantry Division (ID).
1st Lt. Norman Tagros, information officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion of the 4th ID, said the bodies of the rebels were recovered on Tuesday and Wednesday.
One of the fatalities was identified as Francisco Mansigyao, 21.
Some 300 residents of the hinterland village left their homes to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Most of the evacuees belong to the Higaonon tribe. – Gerry Lee Gorit, Ben Serrano