Philippine Army Says Five Suspected Insurgents Killed in Central Clashes

(MENAFN) Five suspected anti-government fighters were killed during a series of armed confrontations with government forces in Negros Occidental province in the central Philippines, according to reports released Sunday.

The Philippine military said the clashes involved troops and members of the New People’s Army, with the first exchange of fire breaking out around 6 a.m. on Saturday. Two additional encounters later took place at approximately 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to reports.

Following the operations, security forces reportedly seized several weapons and explosive devices from the clash sites, including rifles, a machine gun, a grenade launcher and a hand grenade.

Local officials also said the violence forced at least 180 families from three villages to leave their homes and relocate to safer areas during the fighting.

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