NPA rebels wound 6, seize guns in Agusan Sur attack

The NPA is the armed unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and has been waging an insurgency since 1969. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine military and communist guerrillas on Wednesday said communist rebels attacked a military outpost in the mountainous southeast and that civilians were wounded.

New People’s Army spokesman Jorge Madlos said more than 60 guerrillas raided the outpost in San Luis town in Agusan del Sur province early Wednesday. He said a soldier and five civilians were wounded and the rebels seized 17 mostly assault firearms.

Madlos said villagers had complained troops and militiamen were harassing them out of suspicion they were rebel sympathizers.

Military spokesman Major Eugenio Osias said details of the attack were sketchy but that initial reports showed three civilians were shot and wounded by the rebels.

The rural-based rebellion has raged for 43 years.