AFP's encounter claim in Davao de Oro an ‘outright lie’ —CPP

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Friday refuted claims by the military that an encounter took place in New Bataan, Davao de Oro that resulted in the death of five alleged rebels. 

"There was no encounter in New Bataan, Davao de Oro, yesterday, where the AFP claims it killed activist Chad Booc and four others. This was confirmed to us by the local NPA unit in the area," CPP information officer Marco Valbuena wrote on Twitter.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines' ‘encounter’ claim is an outright lie. This would not be the first time. The AFP's 'killed in an encounter' storyline has repeatedly been used in the past to cover up the cold-blooded murder of civilians or unarmed people,” he added.

Valbuena demanded justice for the "murders" of the civilians.

“We urge their family and friends to uncover the facts surrounding their deaths and demand justice for their murders,” he added.

The 10th Infantry Division (ID) said five suspected communist rebels were killed during an encounter with government troops in New Bataan, Davao de Oro on Thursday.

It identified some of the fatalities as Jojarain Alce Nguho II alias Rain, Chad Booc alias Chad, and a certain alias Daday. The other two males were yet to be identified.

The military said they recovered an M653 rifle, a caliber 45  pistol, a hand grenade, an anti-personnel mine, assorted food supplies, and personal belongings, after a 15-minute firefight.—LDF, GMA News