The soldiers attacked rebels while they were doing mundane chores. As soon as the rebels regained their composure, they fought back and caught the military off guard.
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Fierce fighting erupted in a remote village of Butuan City as soldiers launched a surprise assault on New People’s Army rebels while they were engrossed in mundane chores, resulting in the death of three guerrillas on Friday, June 16.
Cuerpo said the Philippine Air Force dispatched a pair of Turkish-made T129B attack helicopters, which launched air strikes on rebel positions at the slopes of Mount Apo-apo. “The rebels fiercely resisted, compelling us to request air support to weaken their defenses,” said Brigadier General George Banzon, the commander of the Army’s 901st Brigade, who oversaw the military offensive.