Bodies of 3 suspected NPA rebels found in Sarangani clashes

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Soldiers recovered three bodies of suspected communist rebels after separate clashes in Sarangani province, according to an official on Tuesday.

Maasim Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan said the three bodies were recovered from the site of two separate encounters.

The first one was between troops of the 27th Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army (NPA) along the borders of Lumasal and Panag village in Maasim around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. The second incident took place at 1:30 p.m.

“We are still trying to identify the remains of the slain rebels,” he said, citing there were no casualties on the government side.

Last month, President Duterte terminated all negotiations with the Communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines, resulting to the renewed armed hostilities.