TAGUM CITY -- Government troops have been clashing with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a hinterland village bordering Compostela Valley and Agusan del Sur provinces since 7:30 a.m, Friday, police and military officials said.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, Compostela Valley police director, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a text message that soldiers from the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion have been clashing with NPA rebels since Friday morning.

Helicopter gunships were dispatched early Friday to provide air support to troops engaging an undetermined number of communist rebels in Barangay (Village) Awao, Monkayo town, in Compostela Valley, Major Randolph Cabangbang, 10th Infantry Division spokeman said.

He said they had yet to receive reports of casualties.