Two Philippine soldiers were killed and three others were injured in a firefight with communist militants in North Cotabato on Saturday. The clash came days after leftist militants attacked a military detachment and the police headquarters in Matanao, Davao del Sur.Military spokesman Captain Ernest Carolina said troops were conducting pursuit operations against members of the New People's Army (NPA) who attacked Matanao. They encountered a number of militants in Sitio Timodos at around 9:55 a.m. A fierce gunbattle ensued and lasted for an hour.
Philippine security forces sustained casualties after several explosives were detonated by the militants while the soldiers were maneuvering.
The Office of the President has recently condemned the NPA's use of explosives but the communist rebels asserted that they have not violated any international protocols in waging a guerrilla warfare.