ZAMBOANGA CITY: Soldiers clashed with communist insurgents from the New People’s Army (NPA) on Sunday and killed a still undetermined number of rebel gunmen in Mati City in the southern Mindanao province of Davao Oriental, a military spokesman said. Andrew Linao said no casualties were reported on the military side in a 45-minute gunfight in the village of Kauswagan. “There were no casualties from the government side while a still undetermined numbers of rebels were killed in the fighting,” he said, adding that government troops were sent to the area after villagers tipped off the military on the presence of NPA rebels there. On Saturday, three rebels were also killed in fighting in Taytayan village in Davao Oriental’s Cateel town and soldiers recovered five automatic rifles in the area. The NPA has been waging a secessionist war for many decades now and despite the ongoing peace talks, fighting also continues in many areas in southern Mindanao.

Source: Manila Times June 18, 2017 13:07 UTC