DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 27, 2011) – Communist rebels killed a government militia and wounded another in a clash in Davao City in the southern Philippines, officials said Wednesday.
Officials said the fighting erupted after troops caught up with a group of New People’s Army rebels who were preparing to train recruits Tuesday in the village of Gumitan in Marilog district.
“We call on the New People’s Army to stop exploiting the youth whom they teach to take arms against the government. We also call on to the communities to help in preventing the youth from being exploited through recruitment by the New People’s Army,” said Captain Harold Ho, of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade.
Davao City has become a base for the communist group over the past years and rebels have repeatedly attacked troops and police forces in broad daylight.
“The soldiers responded to the reports and complaints of civilians that allegedly an armed group, led by Rudy Saballa hiding under the name Egor, a resident of Brgy. Malamba, Marilog District, Davao City, consolidated in order to train the youth that were recruited to become members of the New People’s Army in a training camp in Marilog district,” the army spokesman said.
He said the fighting lasted some 30 minutes and troops recovered two improvised explosives left behind by rebels.
The NPA is fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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