2 rebels hurt in Agusan attack held in hospital

CAMP RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City, Philippines – Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who took part in Saturday’s raid on the police station in Trento, Agusan del Sur were placed under arrest in a hospital in nearby Bislig City where they sought treatment for gunshot wounds they sustained in the ensuing firefight.

Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal, Caraga police director, said the two wounded rebels, identified as Sammy Calibayan, 35, and Ricky Salde, 28, were traced by pursuing policemen to the Bislig City District Hospital through the help of civilians.

Police were told about suspicious individuals, some of them with handguns, coming in and out of the government hospital to provide help to two wounded patients.

Rafal said the two rebels were now cooperating with police after admitting they took part in the attack on the Trento police station, saying they were forced to join because of fear for the lives of their families as they had planned to lie low from the underground movement.

The NPA raid in Agusan del Sur (not Surigao del Sur as earlier reported) left two civilians dead and two policemen wounded. About 250 insurgents onboard three trucks took part in the attack.

The arrested rebels admitted they buried some of their comrades who were killed in the firefight and promised to bring authorities to the site once they have recuperated. – With Alexis Romero