5 CAFGU members killed in clash with rebels in Quezon, says AFP

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 1) — Five members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were killed in Quezon province on Friday after a gunfight with alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said, citing initial reports.

According AFP Southern Luzon Command spokesperson Dennis Cana, the clash occurred at around 7 a.m. in Sitio Pagasa, Barangay Mapulot in the town of Tagkawayan, as government forces were conducting patrol operations.

The armed encounter also left three others wounded, including two CAGFU members and one soldier, Cana said.

The spokesman noted that the AFP has yet to receive a formal report on the incident, including information on whether or not there were also rebels killed or wounded.

He added that pursuit operations against the alleged NPA members continue.