11 soldiers hurt in clash vs NPA in ComVal

DAVAO CITY, Philippines —At least 11 soldiers were wounded in a clash against suspected communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a gold-rich village in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley on Wednesday, the military on Thursday said.

The fighting broke out around 10 a.m. as soldiers from the 10th Division Reconnaissance Company and the 25th Infantry Battalion conducted focused military operations against a band of NPA rebels believed to be having a plenum (assembly) in line with the communists’ 50th anniversary at Sitio (Sub-village) Tinago, Barangay (Village) Mt. Diwalwal, Capt. Jerry Lamosao, 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, said in a statement.

Lamosao said residents had reported the alleged presence of NPA guerrillas conducting recruitment in the area and forcing civilians to attend the rebel group’s anniversary gathering, prompting government troops to conduct an operation.

He said the rebels set off an improvised explosive device (IED) that wounded 11 soldiers.

He said the wounded were brought to a government hospital for treatment and are now in stable condition.

There were no immediate reports of NPA casualties.

Pursuit operations were launched against the fleeing rebels, Lamosao said. /muf