KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines A clash between suspected New Peoples Army guerrillas and members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Barangay Lampagang, Tulunan, North Cotabato, Friday sent hundreds of villagers fleeing their homes, witnesses said.
About 30 communist rebels attacked the CAFGU detachment in Lampagang before noon, triggering a 30-minute firefight.
No casualties were reported.
But terror-stricken residents near the detachment left their homes and sought refuge to their relatives some 50 meters from the scene.
Near the area you could hear the screaming cries of residents. Some are running. Some even dropped to the ground," Lampagang resident German Braga told this writer in a text message.
Some parents rushed to the nearby Lampagang Elementary School to fetch their children, and the fighting forced the cancellation of classes.
Soldiers were dispatched to reinforce CAFGU operatives. Outnumbered, rebels withdrew toward Banayal village and sitio Alimodian.
Live M14 and Garand ammunitions were recovered from the scene. - GMANews.TV