Manila – Two government soldiers were wounded in a clash with communist rebels during a sweep of an eastern Philippine village, an Army spokesman said Friday. The soldiers were on combat operations in Sariaya town in Quezon province, 120 kilometres south of Manila, when they encountered a group of guerrillas.
Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres said the soldiers were scouring the village of Mamala to make sure that rebels had not re-established a base there after a clash last month.
“Two soldiers were wounded in action and were evacuated safely to a military hospital,” he said. “They are now stable.” Communist rebels have been fighting the Philippine government since the late 1960s, making the movement one of the longest-running leftist insurgencies in Asia.
Yep, they sure have, and have made both the Phillipine Government and the army look like absolute buffoons for just as long.
MEANWHILE in Cotabato City, Philippines – At least five people were killed in a gunfight among relatives over a long-standing land dispute a regional police spokesman said Friday. Superintendent Danilo Bacas said several members of the Muslim clan were also wounded in the fighting that erupted late Thursday in a village in Datu Blah Sinsuat town in Shariff Kabunsuan province, 930 kilometres south of Manila.
“They are actually relatives by blood and by affinity, but they refused to settle their land problem amicably,” Bacas said.
Special police forces have been dispatched to keep the peace as about 20 families living on adjacent land were forced to evacuate to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Bacas said the family members were all well-armed because they are members or supporters of Muslim rebel groups.
“Good” job there Superintendent Danilo Bacas! You readily admit they are armed and dangerous, in addition to “being members or supporters of Muslim rebel groups” and you sit around with your thumb up your ass. Asshat.
Technorati Tags: NPA, Philippines, communist rebels, Manila
