14 soldiers killed in Cordillera gun battle

CAMP ALLEN, BAGUIO CITY: Government operations against ragtag groups of terrorists in Abra, Mountain Province and Kalinga became more intensified as 14 soldiers were killed and score others wounded as the rebels employed dirty tactics such as the use of prohibited landmines and civilians as shield against pursuing government forces.

Witnesses to the running gun battle attested to the heavy casualties suffered by the enemy in almost two-week clashes including 10 rebels who were dragged away by their fellow bandits. They wanted to project that they survived unscathed from the series of encounters which is very unlikely considering the bloodstains in the routes of withdrawal.