4 rebels killed, 2 soldiers wounded in Cotabato clash

Four New People's Army guerrillas were killed, and two government troopers were wounded in an encounter on Friday afternoon in North Cotabato.

In a report by GMA News Cotabato stringer Garry Fuerzas, Captain Randy Llunar, chief of the 901st Brigade Philippine Army Civil Military Operation, confirmed that the slain rebels belonged to NPA's Guerilla Front Committee 53 under Joel Pulido, based in Barangay Manobo in Cotabato's Magpet town. 

Llunar also said that two soldiers were wounded in the encounter, but are now safe while undergoing treatment.

According to Llunar, the soldiers acted on tip from concerned citizens on the presence of the rebels in Magpet. 

When soldiers arrived in the area at about 4 p.m., the rebels opened fire, sparking a skirmish the lasted for over an hour.

Unable to repel the oncoming soldiers, the NPA fled in the direction of Mount Apo, leaving  behind their dead.

Several families have also fled their homes in the encounter site, even as a pursuit operation is ongoing.

The encounter erupted five days before the NPA's  49th founding anniversary. —LBG, GMA News