ZAMBOANGA CITY, 7 August 2004 — At least 21 people have been killed in fighting between government forces and communist rebels in various parts of the country since Thursday, officials said yesterday.
In the deadliest of the gunbattles, 12 rebels and five soldiers were killed as army soldiers overran a major camp of communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the southern province of Agusan del Norte on Thursday.
Reports reaching the military’s Southern Command said 13 soldiers were also wounded.
While fighting in Agusan raged, NPA rebels in Zamboanga del Sur province, swooped down on a police detachment and disarmed two policemen, another military report said.
At least 15 rebels wearing military uniform also seized the rifles and pistols of the police officers weapons assigned in Boyugan village of Kumalarang town, said the report.
Yesterday in the province of Zambales province, northwest of Manila, a police patrol clashed with guerrillas in two villages two combatants each from both sides were reported killed. Four other officers were wounded, said Senior Superintendent Wilson Victorio, the police chief of Zambales.
The military said NPA guerrillas were preparing a raid on the municipality of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte when they were attacked by two platoons from the army’s 4th Infantry Division.
Nasipit, in the northeastern part of Mindanao Island, is about 770 kilometers (480 miles) southeast of Manila and 430 km northeast of Zamboanga City.
Mindanao’s mountainous Agusan and Surigao provinces are known strongholds of communist rebels.
Weeks ago, rebel leaders in the Caraga Region in northeast Mindanao invited journalists to show off their recent recruits, including many youngsters.
Another round of talks, the fourth this year, has been scheduled later this month at a still undisclosed location.
Previous talks have been held in Oslo, Norway.
Meanwhile, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Efren Abu refused to suspend military operations in Camarines Sur province on the main island of Luzon where rebels are holding an army lieutenant and a private who were captured after a gunbattle in March.
“We will not negotiate with the communists,” he said.
However, he said the military would “cooperate” if private parties, including the families of the captives, negotiate with the rebels.
“Human lives are at stake here. If there are people who will negotiate, that’s OK with us,” he said.
The government and the rebels have opened talks to end the 35-year-old communist insurgency, but have not agreed on a cease-fire, resulting in sporadic clashes around the country. (Additional input from AP)
