11 killed in fierce clashes in South RP

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / December 15, 2009) – Eleven communist rebels and government soldiers were killed in fierce clashes Tuesday in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said two more soldiers were wounded in the fighting that broke out in the village of Banlag in Valencia City in Bukidnon province.

“Troops engaged the New People’s Army rebels in a series of encounter that left the communists with nine dead and a still undetermined number of wounded fighters. Government troops suffered two killed-in-actions,” said Major Michele Anayron, a spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

He said the fighting erupted after soldiers under the 8th Infantry Battalion tracked down the rebels in the village. He said the fighting started at around 12.20 p.m. and continued sporadically later in the day.

Troops were pursuing some 60 rebels under Abelardo Navarro, he said, adding, soldiers recovered at least nine rifles left behind by gunmen.

“As of this writing, heavy exchange of fire is still continuing in the area,” Anayron said late Tuesday.

The NPA is the armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines which broke off peace talks with Manila in 2004 after accusing President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on several agreements and among them was the release of all political detainees being held across the country. (Mindanao Examiner)