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Saturday, May 27, 2006
2 killed, 10 injured in Agusan clashes
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Two communist insurgents were killed and as many as 10 others wounded in fierce clashes between security forces and the New People's Army (NPA) in the southern Philippines, a regional army spokesman said Friday.
The fighting erupted in the village of Carmel in Agusan del Sur's Bayugan town after insurgents attacked village chieftain Mela Ahan Thursday afternoon.
Soldiers and militias in the village aided Ahan and clashed with the attackers and killed two of them, officials said.
"At least two insurgents were killed and as many as 6 NPAs were also wounded. Four government militias are also injured in the fighting," said Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Simbajon, a spokesman for the Fourth Infantry Division.
He said security forces killed many insurgents, but only two bodies had been recovered by soldiers.
"There could be more enemy casualties based on intercepted radio messages, but we only recovered two bodies and several automatic rifles, ammo, and anti-government propaganda," he said.
Early this month, troops also killed at least four NPA members in a clash in the village of Los Angeles in the outskirts of Butuan City in Agusan del Norte province. One government soldier was also wounded in the fighting.
The NPA stepped up its offensive in the countryside after peace talks with the Arroyo government collapsed in 2004 following the pullout of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front from the negotiations due to their continued inclusion in the terror lists of the United States and the European Union.
Rebel leaders demanded that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ask the United States and the European Union to strike them off from the terror lists before they resume peace talks. Manila also suspended safety and immunity guarantee for rebel negotiators following the collapse of the peace talks. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(May 27, 2006 issue)
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