5 soldiers hurt in N. Cotabato clash

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—At least five government soldiers were wounded in a clash with communist guerillas in a remote village in Makilala town, North Cotabato on Sunday, local authorities said.

Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan said the encounter occurred at around 7 a.m. in Barangay Batasan, an area known to be influenced by communist New People’s Army.

The Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao said soldiers belonging to the 57th Infantry Battalion were patrolling Barangay Batasan when the NPA rebels fired at them.

The hour-long firefight left five soldiers hurt and three guerillas killed, the military said.

As reinforcement came, the rebels numbering about 50 fled to Barangay Buenavida, bringing with them their slain and wounded comrades, the 6th ID said in a statement.

Caoagdan said about 50 families have fled the area and were being attended to by the local government unit.