5 soldiers hurt in clash with NPAs in Zambo Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – At least five soldiers were wounded in an encounter with 50 heavily armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Tuesday in a remote village in Lakewood town, Zamboanga del Sur, according to the military.

The two-hour fighting in Sitio Ludiaw also reportedly left casualties among the NPA rebels under the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Capt. Jefferson Somero, acting spokesman of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division based in Labangan town, Zamboanga del Sur, said the clash occurred as the soldiers belonging to the 53rd Infantry Battalion were pursuing rebels who had foraged in the village.