1 more fatality found in Bukidnon clash site

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Army soldiers found one more dead body on Tuesday as they were scouring the site of Monday’s clash with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, a top regional Army official said.

Major General Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commanding general of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the discovery brings to 10 the fatalities in the Army’s operation against NPA rebels in the hinterlands of Malaybalay City at dawn on Christmas Day.

The soldiers initially counted nine fatalities, three of whom were women. The 10th fatality, according to Cuerpo, is male.

Brigadier General Michele Anayron, commanding officer of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade, said all fatalities were estimated to be in their 40s.

As of Tuesday noon, the dead bodies are yet to be taken to the city center.

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Bacus, commanding officer of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, told reporters on Tuesday that they were having a hard time collecting the bodies due to rains in the area and the difficult terrain.

Cuerpo earlier vowed to turn over the dead bodies to the local government so that once they are identified, they could be claimed by their respective families.

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