FILE PHOTO: Guerrillas of the New People's Army are seen in formation in the Sierra Madre mountain range, east of Manila, on July 30, 2017. NPA rebels have been fighting government troops since 1969. - AFP
MANILA: A suspected rebel was killed and two others were arrested in clashes with Philippine troops in Samar province in the central Philippines, the country's military said Sunday (Sept 14).
In a report, the Philippine army said troops engaged a band of alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA) in "a brief but intense firefight" on Saturday during a combat operation in Paranas town. More clashes occurred as troops pursued the fleeing rebels.
The Saturday encounters resulted in the death of a rebel and the arrest of two others, while no soldiers were killed or wounded in the fight.
NPA rebels have been fighting government troops since 1969. Military data showed that the NPA's personnel strength has declined since its peak of around 25,000 armed members in the 1980s.
Despite its dwindling fighters, the NPA continues to launch small-scale attacks in the countryside. - Xinhua
