23-7-2023 (MANILA) A clash between Philippine troops and suspected rebels took place in Northern Samar province, located in the central Philippines, on Saturday afternoon, resulting in the death of two insurgents and injuring one soldier, according to military reports on Sunday.
The military stated that the gunfight, lasting approximately 20 minutes, occurred before 1 p.m. local time in a coastal town, involving the troops and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel group. During the confrontation, the troops were able to recover two M16 assault rifles and an M14 rifle at the site of the clash.
The NPA, which has been engaged in armed conflict with the government since 1969, mainly conducts attacks in rural areas and frequently clashes with the military. Their activities have remained a source of concern for authorities.
Recent military data indicates that the NPA’s estimated membership stands at around 2,000, a significant decline from its peak strength during the 1980s. Despite this decline, the group continues to pose a challenge to the security forces in certain regions of the Philippines.
