Manila, June 8, (dpa/GNA) – Three suspected communist rebels were killed on Tuesday in a clash with soldiers in the central Philippines, the military said.
The troops were dispatched to hunt down guerrillas responsible for planting a homemade landmine that killed two civilians while they were biking in Masbate City, 380 kilometres south of Manila, on Sunday.
Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade, a regional military commander, said the soldiers fought with about 30 communist rebels, triggering the firefight that killed three of the guerrillas.
The rebels fled in different directions, leaving behind their dead and four rifles, he said.
Troops also found a dozen M16 and M653 rifles in a nearby hut as they ran after the guerrillas, Parlade said.
Army Colonel Aldwine Almase said the military and police will hunt down the other rebels responsible for the deaths of the civilians, who included a 21-year-old football player.
“We will not allow these terrorists to continue killing innocent people and destroying hopes and dreams of our youth,” he said.
“Our persistent operations will continue to make sure that those who participated in this crime will rot in prison,” Almase added.
Communist rebels have been fighting the government since the late 1960s, making it one of the longest-running leftist insurgencies in Asia.
Peace talks between the Philippine government and the communist rebels ended in November 2017 and attacks by the guerrillas have continued unabated.
Efforts to resume the negotiations have so far failed.
GNA