NPA rebels kill Mindanao tribesman

CAGAYAN DE CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 1, 2010) – Armed tribesmen clashed with communist rebels in the southern Philippines leaving one person dead, the military said on Monday.

It said the fighting broke out in Agusan del Sur’s Esperanza town after rebels attacked tribesmen in the village of Kinamaybay. The weekend clash also left a still undetermined number of New People’s Army rebels.

The motive of the attack was unknown, but the military said the rebels were harassing the natives in the past. The tribesmen were known to actively support the government’s anti-insurgency campaign in the province.

The rebels have previously accused the military of arming tribesmen to fight the NPA, an allegation denied by security officials. The NPA is fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)