(UPDATE) 18 killed, 2 injured in Agusan clashes

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - At least 18 people were killed in a series of encounters between government troops, militiamen, and members of the New People's Army (NPA) in the southern Philippines today, military officials said.

Those killed were 13 NPA guerrillas, four militiamen belonging to the Manobo tribe, and a soldier. At least two soldiers were wounded.

Major Gen. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division, said fighting broke out at around 5:30 a.m., when an undetermined number of NPA guerrillas attacked a community of Manobo tribe in Sta. Irene village, Prosperidad town in Agusan del Sur province.

Visaya said the military had informed the tribesmen and militiamen under one Datu Calpit and told them to prepare for the attack.

He said 12 leftist rebels were killed while four militiamen died during the intense two-hour firefight.

The military official said the rebels attacked the community the Manabos purportedly because the tribesmen were resisting efforts of the NPA to recruit them.

At around 6:30 a.m. local time, Visaya said, reinforcing troops from the 1st Division Reconnaissance Company clashed with leftist rebels who set up a roadblock in Awa village, Prosperidad town. A soldier was killed while another was wounded. A number of leftist rebels were also wounded but they managed to escape.

An hour later, he said troops from the 3rd Special Battalion clashed with another group of NPA guerrillas in Hamogaway village, Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur province. Soldiers killed a leftist rebel and recovered an M16 rifle with an M203 grenade launcher.

Visaya said forces of the 29th Infantry Battalion encountered NPA guerrillas in Panaytay village, Kicharao town in Agusan del Norte province at 7:30 a.m., leaving another soldier injured.

At around 10 a.m., Visaya said forces from the Philippine National Police's Special Action Force caught up with leftist rebels in Panaytay village, Prosperidad town where the rebels were reportedly blocking civilian vehicles. There were no immediate reports of casualties in the clash.

Moments later, troops from the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with rebels at Zapantay Valley in Bangayan village in Kitcharao town. Visaya said there are no reports of casualties yet and fighting was still ongoing.

Captain Christian Uy, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division, said soldiers are now pursuing the fleeing leftist rebels.