Soldier killed, hundreds flee in clash in North Cotabato
MANILA, Philippines - An Army soldier was killed and hundreds of residents were evacuated as a gunbattle erupted yesterday between government security forces and leftist insurgents in the North Cotabato, the military said Wednesday.
New Peoples Army (NPA) guerillas led by Commander Enoy of the rebels Front 51 attacked a military position on Tuesday in Barangay Batasan, Makilala town, resulting in a 30-minute fierce fighting, said regional military spokesman Col. Prudencio Asto.
Asto said a soldier was killed in the encounter and more than 42 families from the village fled to safer grounds to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
The NPA has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades. The military estimates that there are some 4,700 NPA guerrilla fighters scattered in more than 60 provinces throughout the country. (Xinhua)
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