MANILA, Mar 10: Philippine officials say communist rebels have launched a series of attacks in southern Davao del Sur province’s Matanao township, killing 10 Government troops and wounding nine.
At least two guerrillas were killed and nine captured.
Army Major Jake Obligado, a civil-military operations commander, said some 50 New People’s Army rebels first stormed the town’s police station before dawn today, trading fire with five policemen.
Three officers died while two were wounded. Soldiers repulsed another attack on a military detachment.
Pursuing troops then captured nine guerrillas, while two rebels were killed in a third clash.
The rebels later blasted a land mine on a truck troops were boarding, killing seven soldiers and wounding seven others.
Talks to end one of the world’s longest-running Marxist insurgency have stalled since 2011. (AGENCIES)