Pro-government militia wounded in communist attack in Philippines

Pro-government militia wounded in communist attack in Philippines

2011-05-07 22:29:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- Communist rebels detonated a landmine on Saturday, injuring a government and a pro-army militia in the southern Filipino province of Davao del Norte, the Mindanao Examiner reported.

Officials said the explosion occurred when the soldiers were checking on the reported presence of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the village of Palma Gil in Talaingod town.

"Prior to the incident, concerned civilians informed our troops of the presence of the armed men intimidating the local residents. The soldiers were on their way to way to implement peace and development programs when they responded to the residents' call," Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza, an army spokesman, said.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades. The rebels are fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country and are currently negotiating peace with the Aquino government, but both sides have not signed a ceasefire agreement.

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