Manila, Aug 4 (IANS) Three alleged members of the rebel New People’s Army (NPA) were killed during an encounter with government troops in Abra province in the northern Philippines on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
The Philippine authorities said troops encountered about 10 suspected NPA members while conducting pursuit operations in the area. Soldiers later recovered the bodies of the three suspected rebels along with three high-powered firearms, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The local government and the Philippine Army have urged local residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals or activities as security operations in the region continue.
On July 30, two alleged members of the NPA were killed, and another was captured following a clash with Philippine Army troops in Oriental Mindoro province in central Philippines, according to local media reports.
The army said the encounter occurred during an operation after residents reported the presence of an armed group. Troops exchanged fire with around 10 suspected NPA members before the remaining rebels fled, prompting pursuit operations.
The military said troops recovered improvised explosive device components and other items left behind by the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, one person was killed, and two others were wounded after being caught in the crossfire during a clash between a militant group and armed farmers in Cotabato province in the southern Philippines on July 30, according to local media.
A local military official said the fighting displaced at least 100 families who took shelter in evacuation centres. Authorities said the clash was believed to have stemmed from a long-running land dispute between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the farmers.
The military said it is still verifying which group initiated the gunfight, and whether the fatality and those wounded are members of the two groups.
–IANS
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