6 soldiers dead in clash vs. NPA in Eastern Samar

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12) — Six soldiers were killed while 20 others were wounded in a firefight against armed communist rebels in Eastern Samar on Monday, authorities said Tuesday.

Three platoons of the 14th Infantry Battalion encountered some 50 members of the New People's Army at Sitio Bangon, Brgy. Pinanag-an, Borongan City at around 5 p.m. on Monday, according to a police report.

The gunfight lasted for about 30 minutes. Six improvised explosive devices simultaneously went off prior to the clash.

Government forces recovered a militant's body, while an undetermined number was wounded, police said.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has waged a five-decade insurgency. President Rodrigo Duterte walked away from peace negotiations with the rebel group in 2017, as both sides accused each other of ceasefire violations. He has since urged rebels to surrender, promising housing, cash, and livelihood assistance.

The government seeks to tag the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group but the move is still pending in court.