Six killed in clash between govt. troops, leftist rebels in southern Philippines

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-10-9 19:20:28

Six people have been killed in a series of encounters between government troops and leftist rebels in southern Philippines, the military said Tuesday.

Casualties include three New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas, a soldier and two policemen as government forces intensified their campaign against the insurgents in Northern and Eastern Mindanao, according to Lt. Col. Eugenio Osias IV, regional army spokesman.

Two policemen and two insurgents were killed on Monday in near- simultaneous clashes in Gigaquit town, Surigao del Norte province to the north, and in the southern town of Veruela, in Agusan del Sur.

A day earlier, troops under the army's 8th Infantry Battalion clashed with NPA rebels in Impasug-ong town, Bukidnon province. A soldier and a leftist guerrilla died in that incident.

The fire fight in Veruela town also resulted in the rescue of a militiaman whom the rebels had kidnapped last week, while improvised bombs, rounds of ammunition and an AK-47 assault rifle were also recovered.

The 4,000-strong NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is fighting a 43-year leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces.

Posted in: Asia-Pacific

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