8 dead, 10 cops injured in Kalinga demolition

Eight people were injured while ten policemen were injured during a failed demolition effort in the upland municipality of Rizal in Kalinga province. Senior Superintendent Severino Cruz, Kalinga police director, said in a phone interview that all the fatalities were civilians, including farmers, who allegedly exchanged fire with the lawmen who were part of the operation. The clash began 8 a.m. Monday and dragged on until 4 p.m. that same day. Cruz said five of the residents were arrested Monday as the police allegedly recovered an M-16 rifle, a carbine and a shotgun from the scene. Two of the responding policemen, meanwhile, were reportedly in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital. - GMANews.TV