Two soldiers wounded in NPA fighting in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 2, 2010) – Two government soldiers were wounded in a firefight Friday with communist rebels in Davao City in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the fighting broke out after troops stormed a rebel encampment ran by the New People’s Army in the village of Sibulan in Toril District.

Army Captain Emmanuel Garcia, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, quoting reports from the 84th Infantry Battalion, said the fighting lasted more than 30 minutes, but there were no reports of rebel casualties.

“A major encampment was discovered due to the presence of wooden bunkers and running trenches which made the entry of troops even harder. Government troops suffered two slightly wounded during the exchange of fire,” he said.

Garcia said: “The NPA, under the absolute control of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting the government for the last 41 years, but no significant gain was established due to its lack of people’s support and terrorist activities.” (Mindanao Examiner)