The Philippine military said six soldiers were wounded in clash with communist militants in southern Mindanao.Capt. Alberto Caber said the fighting broke out in Digos City in Davao del Sur province. Caber said several members of the New People’s Army were thought to be killed or wounded in the fighting on Monday afternoon. He said, “We have six soldiers wounded in the battle and there could be more casualties on the enemy side."
The militants detonated a roadside bomb while troops were patroling a village, sparking a gun battle. Caber said villagers provided information to the military about the presence of gunmen extorting money from locals.
Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III condemned the militants' continued use of landmines, saying, the NPA violated an accord that banned the use of landmines.
Security forces have launched a follow up operation on Tuesday against the militants who broke into smaller groups and fled to the hills.