7 Killed in Clashes between Philippine Army, Rebels

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, August 14, 2002

7 Killed in Clashes between Philippine Army, Rebels

Seven persons were killed during a gunbattle between Army soldiers and the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the northern Philippine province of Aurora on Wednesday,the sixth day of their clashes.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Seven persons were killed during a gunbattle between Army soldiers and the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the northern Philippine province of Aurora on Wednesday,the sixth day of their clashes.

An undetermined number of others were also fatally shot in another gunfight on Tuesday, the Philippine Star online news reported.

"No one on the government side has been hurt since the firefight began last Saturday," Colonel Jovenal Narcise, commanderof the Army's 702nd Infantry Brigade, was quoted as saying.

The battle also resulted in the serious wounding of four other rebels. The bodies of the dead were reportedly carried away by fleeing rebels.

"The NPAs are now on the run," Narcise said.

The 11,000-strong NPA has been listed as foreign terrorist organization by the United States, the US Embassy in Manila announced last Friday.

The NPA has been waging an armed insurgency in the Philippines for more than 30 years. Over 50,000 military men, rebels and civilians have been killed in what is said to be the longest-running insurgency in Asia.

The Philippine government on Monday welcomed the US tag of NPA as terrorists group but said the suspended peace-talk will reopen if the NPA agrees to give up violent activities.

Last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the military to shift its focus from the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping-for-ransom group to the NPA rebels nationwide.

The government suspended talks with the NPA last year followingthe assassination of two congressmen.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Philippine Troops Launch War Against Another Rebel Group

China's High-tech Development Geared to Marketable Industries ( 46 Messages)

Chinese GRE Test Takers Shocked by US ETS Decision ( 24 Messages)

Bush Looks Forward to Chinese President Jiang's Visit: Spokesman ( 22 Messages)

US Should Change Two-sided Policy: Opinion ( 27 Messages)

Shanghai Financial Center Aiming High ( 10 Messages)