DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Exminer / June 20, 2013) – A communist rebel was killed and a government soldier wounded in a clash that erupted in Compostela Valley province in southern Philippines, officials said Thursday.
Captain Severino Vicente David, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the fighting occurred in the village of Tibagon in Pantukan town where the rebels were allegedly harassing the locals.
“Government troops responded to civilian complaints of NPA harassment and extortion activities in the area. The encounter resulted to killing of one NPA member whose identity is still unknown while one soldier was wounded in action,” he said, adding troops clashed with about 40 rebels.
He identified the wounded soldier as Private First Class William Casillan, Jr.
David said the soldier was taken to a military hospital in Davao City while the body of the slain rebel had been brought to a funeral house in Pantukan town.
The rebel group is still holding 5 soldiers it captured recently in Davao City.
The NPA has been fighting for the government for decades now for the establishment of a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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