8 soldiers killed in North Cotabato ambush

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Eight soldiers died Monday, October 21, in two separate incidents – an ambush and a landmine explosion — in Barangay Caridad in Tulunan, North Cotabato.

About 40 suspected communist rebels killed 7 soldiers of the 38th infantry battalion in an ambush in Barangay Caridad, when government troops were on their way to give subsistence allowance to civilian armed force geographic units (CAFGUs) in the area, according to Capt Alberto Caber, spokesperson of the Army’s Eastern Mindanao Command, which has jurisdiction over the battalion.

The 8th soldier was killed when a landmine exploded as the vehicle of reinforcement troops approached the barangay, Caber added.

North Cotabato Gov Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza condemned the attack. 

“This act of atrocity has no place in a civilized society, more so with the use of landmines which has long been prohibited under international covenants. The Provincial Government of Cotabato under its present administration has not failed in its peace initiatives and has long geared its efforts toward [achieving lasting peace],” Mendoza said.

But “we could only do so much,” she added. “Our initiatives and efforts to find a solution for peace could not have positive results if atrocities like these continue to happen.”

In nearby Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao, mortar rounds were also fired against members of the 45th infantry battalion also at around 9 am.

Three soldiers were wounded, according to 6th ID spokesman Col Dickson Hermoso. – with reports from Ferdinandh Cabrera in Cotabato City, Carmela Fonbuena in Manila and Karlos Manlupig in Davao/Rappler.com