2 soldiers wounded in Davao clash with leftist rebels

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Two soldiers were wounded in a clash with the leftist New People's Army (NPA) this morning in Davao, the military said.

The encounter occurred along a village road in Paquibato District, Davao City, at around 5:30 a.m. while the government troops were preparing the route for the culmination of a 3-day peace building summit by the local government, different line government agencies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police, said AFP's 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Ernest Carolina.

Prior to the incident, a team of soldiers from the 69th Infantry Battalion were sent to patrol along the road after receiving information about a landmine said to have been planted by the NPA in the said route.

The team encountered some seven rebels along the route, and a firefight erupted and last for about 10 minutes, Carolina said.

Two soldiers were wounded by shrapnel from the landmine blast during the clash, while the NPA casualties remained undetermined, he said, adding that the soldiers recovered a 100-meter long blasting wire in the area.

The government troops launched a pursuit operation against the fleeing rebels.