3 killed, 3 wounded in Surigao military-NPA firefight

(Updated 1 p.m.)Three people were killed and three others wounded Saturday during a firefight between the Philippine and some 60 New People’s Army (NPA) members in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. Two tribe members and an NPA rebel were killed, PNP-Caraga noted, saying the casualties and wounded individuals were still unidentified. According to a report of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga Region, the army together with a group of Datu Dumogoy tribesmen engaged the rebels in a 30-minute firefight. Recovered from the scene were an NPA flag, three M-14 assault rifles, three landmines, two grenades, two rifle grenades, assorted medicines, and dental kit, the police said. Bislig City officials said progress report on the incident will follow suit. PNP-Caraga regional director Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal ordered the Surigao del Sur’s PNP provincial office to ensure the safety of residents in all municipalities in Surigao del Sur ahead of the Oct. 25 barangay elections. Rafal also ordered the PNP in Surigao del Sur to investigate the bloody encounter in Bislig City. — Ben Serrano/JE/VS, GMANews.TV