TWO suspected communist rebels were killed in a clash with military troops in Catanduanes province in central Philippines on Sunday, according to the military.
The military’s 83rd Infantry Battalion and Police Mobile Force Company encountered at least seven armed rebels at about 1:20 a.m. in the village of Taopon, Panganiban, the Philippine Army said in a statement.
Government troops killed two unidentified rebels in the clash that lasted 10 minutes, and recovered a rifle.
The military and police are pursuing the rest of the rebels who fled the scene, according to the statement.
The Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) headed by Major General Fernando Trinidad earlier said it would use full military force against suspected communist rebels to prevent their extortion activities. But the government would welcome members of the armed movement who seek to surrender, he said. — Marc Wyxzel C. Dela Paz
