[Mindanao Examiner] Maoist militants clashed with Philippine security forces and injured nearly a dozen soldiers in Compostela Valley’s Monkayo town. The fighting broke out on Wednesday after soldiers ran into a group of New People’s Army insurgents in Mount Diwata and a gun battle ensued.Troops were deployed after villagers secretly reported to the military that militants were recruiting civilians to fight the government. The rebels also planted improvised explosives on roads where security patrols usually pass.
The fighting occurred a day after 19 militants surrendered in Agusan del Sur’s Loreto town. Military spokesman Ezra Balagtey said corruption in the communist party and the rebel group triggered the mass surrender of rebels whose entire unit was operating in Agusan Sur and Compostela Valley provinces.
Insurgents have threatened to launch attacks in retaliation to President Duterte’s order to destroy the militants following the collapse of the peace talks. They are still holding over a dozen pro-government militiamen and soldiers in the region.