CAFGU killed in Army-rebel clash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member was killed in an encounter between the Philippine Army and alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members morning of October 13, 2021 in Calinog, Iloilo.

The fatality’s identity has yet to be revealed but the 301st Infantry Brigade said he is also from Calinog town.

Members of the 12th Infantry Battalion, together with CAFGU Active Auxiliary members, were deployed to Barangay Masaroy, Calinog to secure an ongoing construction of a farm-to-market road.

Captain Kim Apitong, officer-in-charge of 3rd Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO), said the 12th IB has received reports from villagers that the rebels allegedly planned to set ablaze the equipment used in the road construction.

It was around 8:20 a.m. when Army troopers spotted around five rebels advancing to the site.

Apitong said the NPA rebels aborted their plan after seeing Philippine Army troops guarding the area.

Instead, they engaged the soldiers in a 10-minute firefight that claimed the life of the CAFGU personnel.

Units on the ground alerted adjacent patrol bases and pursued the fleeing rebels.