CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine military has ordered an intensified operation against the communist rebel group New People’s Army in the restive South following a clash that led to the capture of a huge guerrilla camp in Agusan del Sur province.
Officials said the 4th Infantry Division has deployed troops in the town of Sibagat where members of the 9th Special Forces Company fought fiercely with rebels on Thursday. Soldiers clashed for nearly 30 minutes forcing the rebels to flee deeper in the jungle.
There were no reports of military casualties and officials could not say if there were rebels slain in the fighting i n the village of New Tubigon. It was the second clash in recent weeks in the area.
The captured rebel camp can accommodate more than 100 rebels and was surrounded by trenches and thatched huts. Troops also recovered several automatic weapons, improvised explosives, munitions and anti-government propaganda.
Five rebels were killed in separate clashes with the military in Sarangani’s Maasim town and in the town of Kapalong in Davao del Norte. Troops also recovered 9 automatic weapons in Sarangani.
The NPA rebels have been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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