DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 16, 2012) – Philippine troops killed 6 communist rebels in a fierce fighting that erupted Monday in the southern province of Compostela Valley, security officials said.
Officials said the fighting broke out at around 3 p.m. in the village of Malinawon in Mawab town after locals tipped off the military about the presence of New People’s Army rebels headed by a commander identified only by his alias “Hiker.”
The rebels, officials said, were on a carnapped truck and heading to a banana plantation when troops attacked them, sparking a firefight.
Government troops also recovered 5 automatic weapons, including a .30-caliber machine gun. Officials said there were no military casualties.
Rebel spokesmen did not give any statement about the clash. The NPA is fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate Maoist state in the country.(Mindanao Examiner)
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