Soldiers, NPA rebels clash before truce ends
MANILA, Philippines—Government troops clashed with communist rebels in North Cotabato on Thursday, five days before the end of their truce.
A team of Special Forces soldiers from the 601st Infantry Brigade was on a defensive security patrol in Malire Antipas village at about 4p.m. when the clash occured, a statement from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said.
The troops were responding to reports of the residents that the New People’s Army rebels were planning to attack a detachment of the paramilitary group Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit.
“The firefight lasted for about 45 minutes with no casualties on both sides, but government troops recovered one M16 rifle,one M4 carbine, six pieces magazine with ammunition for M16, five pieces magazine with ammunition for M14, two pieces IED with blasting caps, 50 meters firing wire, one hand grenade, one jungle bolo, and four back packs with personal belongings and subversive documents from the encounter site,” the statement added.
Both the Communist Party of the Philippines and the government have agreed to a ceasefire until January 15.
