Hundreds of families flee as army, rebels fight in S. Philippines

Hundreds of families in southern Philippines have abandoned their homes following an on and off gun battle between government soldiers and leftist rebels.

Randolph Cabangbang, Mindanao regional military spokesman, said on Saturday that over 250 families in the town of Marihatag in Surigao del Sur province have fled for fear of being caught in the crossfire between soldiers and New Peoples Army rebels.

Displaced families are presently staying at the town's gymnasium. Local officials provided the evacuees relief assistance.

The latest fighting occurred last week, leaving two people dead and several others wounded. Among those killed in a series of clashes were a female rebel and a government soldier.

The clashes erupted when patrolling soldiers from government army's 36th Infantry Battalion met with a group of rebels said to be in foraging mission in a village in Marihatag.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades. Military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 fighters scattered in more than 60 provinces throughout the country.

Source:Xinhua