3 NPA rebels killed, 3 soldiers injured in Zamboanga del Sur clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Three communist rebels were killed while three soldiers were injured in a clash in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, a report reaching the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) based here, said.

In that report, sent by the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion, soldiers were patrolling Barangay Mati in Tigbao when the clash took place.

As a result, three New People’s Army rebels had been killed and their firearms recovered, the report added.

The Scout Rangers also suffered three injuries, the report said.

The fleeing rebels were still being pursued as of late Wednesday, a Westmincom statement, said.

In Makilala, North Cotabato, one soldier was killed while another one was wounded in a clash in Barangay (village) Kabilao, a village bordering the province and Davao del Sur on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Noel Dela Cruz, commander of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, said.

He said soldiers were conducting patrol when they were fired upon by some 40 rebels as they were going uphill on Mt. Matungis in Kabilao.

Dela Cruz said some villagers had fled for fear of getting caught in the crossfire and had taken refuge in the village center.

He said the military had also fired artillery rounds against the fleeing rebels.