5 soldiers hurt in Davao Or. clashes

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Five soldiers were wounded in separate clashes with New People’s Army rebels in Davao Oriental since Saturday, the military reported on Monday.

“The wounded soldiers are still in the encounter sites as helicopters could not land to airlift them due to poor weather condition but they are in a stable condition,” Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division based in Davao City, said.

He said the encounters in Boston and Cateel towns also resulted in the recovery of several high-powered firearms and improvised explosives.

Paniza said reports about two guerrillas being killed were still being validated.