ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 18, 2012) – Government troops killed a still undetermined number of communist rebels in a clash in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay, an army spokesman said Saturday.
Capt. Albert Caber, of the 1st Infantry Division, said the fighting broke out in the village of Palalian in Malanggas town late Friday afternoon after an army patrol ran into a group of New People’s Army rebels sparking a running gun battle well into the night.
“We have report that many rebels were killed in the clash and troops also recovered various munitions, a medical kit, a laptop computer and anti-government propaganda,” he said, adding there were no military casualties.
He said civilians tipped off the military about the presence of the rebels in the area, but it was unclear whether the gunmen were preparing for an attack or just resting in the village.
On Wednesday, rebels killed an army soldier in fire fight in the neighboring town of Buug. The soldiers were in a reconnaissance mission when chanced on a huge group of rebels.
The NPA is fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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