MANILA, Philippines - An Army detachment commander and two militiamen were killed in an ambush staged by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a remote village in San Remgio, Antique Friday afternoon.
The fatalities in the rebel-initiated attack were identified as Cpl. Absalom Labitan, commander of a CAFGU (Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit) detachment at Barangay Aningalan, San Remegio town; and militiamen Julie Huayang and Vevencio Mutha.
Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabuno said a squad led by Labitan was conducting security patrols were fired upon by the NPA rebels “after initially setting off a landmine in the vicinity of Sitio Igbaklag, Barangay Aningalan.”
He added that the rebels took the victims’ M16, M14 and M-1 Carbine rifles.
The government’s plans to construct a highway to cut land travel from Antique to Iloilo by more than an hour have long been hampered by the NPA rebels.
“The bodies our slain troopers have been recovered and are now at the funeral parlor in the town proper for autopsy,” Cabunoc said.