Manila, July 15 (IANS): At least 18 people were killed and two others injured Tuesday in clashes between government troops, militants, and members of the New People's Army (NPA) in southern Philippines, military officials said.
Those killed were 13 NPA guerrillas, four militiamen belonging to the Manobo tribe, and a soldier, Xinhua reported.
According to the officials, the fighting broke out at around 5.30 a.m., when an undetermined number of NPA guerrillas attacked a community of Manobo tribe at Santa Irene village, Prosperidad town, in Agusan del Sur province.
The military officials said that the militants attacked the Manobos community purportedly because the tribesmen were resisting efforts of the NPA to recruit them.
At around 6.30 a.m., reinforcing troops from the 1st Division Reconnaissance Company clashed with the Leftist rebels who set up a roadblock at Awa village, Prosperidad town.
A soldier was killed while another was wounded.
A number of Leftist rebels were also wounded but they managed to escape.
An hour later, troops from the 3rd Special Battalion clashed with another group of NPA guerrillas in Hamogaway village, Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur province.
Soldiers killed a Leftist rebel and recovered an M16 rifle with an M203 grenade launcher.
Forces of the 29th Infantry Battalion encountered NPA guerrillas in Panaytay village, Kicharao town in Agusan del Norte province at 7.30 a.m., leaving another soldier injured.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is fighting a Leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces since 1969.