More clashes in 3 provinces between soldiers, communist rebels

DAVAO CITY—Clashes between government soldiers and communist guerrillas continued in parts of Mindanao following President Duterte’s declaration of an end to peace talks with leaders of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the underground umbrella organization of leftist militant groups.

The clashes took place in the provinces of Sarangani, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental on Saturday, according to an Army spokesperson.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, speaking for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said a soldier was wounded in a clash with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the village of Little Datal Anggas in Alabel town, Sarangani, that lasted for at least two hours.

Batchar said the wounded soldier, who has not been identified, was airlifted to the military hospital in Panacan here.

He said three separate gunfights also took place between soldiers under the 60th Infantry Battalion and communist rebels in the village of Bollucan in Laak town, Compostela Valley.

Batchar said the first gunfight in Laak lasted for about an hour. Soldiers backed by armored personnel carriers pursued the rebels and engaged them in a second clash. The third clash came when soldiers caught up with some of the rebels.

In Davao Oriental, Batchar said a brief clash took place when NPA rebels ambushed three military trucks in the village of San Jose in Caraga town on Saturday. No casualty has been reported.

Batchar said the military had sent MG520 attack helicopters and fired cannons at the rebels’ direction.

He said soldiers are conducting clearing operations to check if the artillery round has been accurate. — ALLAN NAWAL