Troops clash with NPA rebels in South RP; 2 dead, 3 wounded

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 29, 2010) – Government troops killed a female member of the communist rebel group New People’s Army in a series of clashes in the southern Filipino province of Surigao del Sur, officials said Sunday.

Officials said one soldier was also killed and three more wounded in Saturday fighting that broke out in the village of Mahaba in the town of Marihatag.

“The encounters resulted to the death of one female terrorist and the recovery of one M16 rifle from the terrorists while for the government side one soldier died and one wounded and two others sustained superficial wounds,” said Lieutenant Colonel Triumph Bagaipo, a spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

Quoting field reports, Bagaipo said the first fighting lasted more than 30 minutes and this was followed by two more sporadic clashes later in the day.
Bagaipo said the fighting erupted after patrolling troops, acting on reports of villagers about the presence of rebels, ran into a band of New People’s Army gunmen.

“While we grieve and deeply sympathize with the family of our fallen hero and so with the family of the New People’s Army rebel, it is our wish for the New People’s Army to heed the government’s call for lasting peace. We at 4th Infantry Division are more than willing to sit down and talk about lasting peace,” said Major General Victor Felix, a regional army commander.

The NPA is the armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines which is fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)