ACROSS THE COUNTRY

5 Abus slain, 7 Marines hurt in clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Five Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while seven Marines were wounded in a gunfight in Panamao, Sulu on Sunday.

The bodies of Mikdak Juhurim, Annin Black, Tasom Hammiri, Undil Husin and a certain Roger were carried by their comrades as they fled, according to residents. The military said an M14 rifle was recovered from the fatalities.

Three of the seriously wounded Marines were airlifted to the Camp Navarro General Hospital. Four were confined at Camp Bautista Hospital in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo.

The clash occurred at about 4:15 a.m. when personnel of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 led by Lt. Col. Ramil Densing launched search and rescue operations after receiving information that a group of bandits were monitored in Barangay Bawis with some kidnap victims. – Roel Pareño, Michael Punongbayan

4 NPA rebels killed, 12 surrender

Four communist guerrillas were killed in encounters with government troopers in Agusan del Norte and Abra on Sunday.

First Lt. Tere Ingente of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division said soldiers also seized a rebel camp that can accommodate 100 persons in Sitio Taihan, Barangay Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

The military said a Carbine and three M16 rifles were recovered from New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Mabongtot, Barangay Uddias, Sallapadan, Abra. Twelve other NPA guerrillas, including 10 members of the Militia ng Bayan, surrendered in Rizal, Cagayan over the weekend.

– Ben Serrano, Artemio Dumlao, Raymund Catindig

Girl, 7, raped by uncles

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan – Police filed criminal charges against two laborers before the Department of Justice yesterday for allegedly raping their seven-year-old niece in Hungduan, Ifugao.

The suspects allegedly raped the victim in separate occasions in 2016 whenever her parents were working in the field.

Police said the suspects remain at large.

– Raymund Catindig