DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 28, 2011) – Government soldiers killed a communist rebel in firefight Monday with the New People’s Army in Davao Oriental’s Caraga town in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said patrolling troops clashed with some 70 rebels in the village of Caningag shortly before 8 a.m. There were no reports of military casualties and officials said troops recovered two M16 automatic rifles and four improvised explosives left behind by the gunmen.
“As of this moment, troops are scouring the area and accounted one NPA member’s death and the recovery of two M16 rifles and four improvised explosive devices,” said Colonel Reuben Basiao, commander of the 67th Infantry Battalion.
He said the soldiers were dispatched to the area following reports that rebels were harassing villagers.
Brigadier General Leonido Bongcawil, head of the 701st Infantry Brigade, condemned the NPA for targeting innocent civilians. “The army will continue to make sure that rural areas will be cleared from explosive devices,” he said.
The rebels have long been fighting to establish a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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