Gov't troops, NPA clash in Mindoro as Duterte suspends peace talks

Troops and communist rebels on Sunday clashed in Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro province, hours after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he is suspending the government's peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Maj. Gen. Erick Parayno, commander of the Philippine Army's 2nd Division, reported that one suspected New People's Army (NPA) member has been killed in the ongoing firefight.

The report said troops from the 76th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations when they encountered an undetermined number of communist rebels in Sitio Kalibunlibunan, Barangay Pinagturilan at around 2 p.m.

Troops have recovered a .45 pistol.

Parayno said the rebels encountered by the troops is believed to be part of an NPA team that disarmed security guards at a resort in Nasugbu, Batangas last week.

Parayno said the combat operations was launched after "the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] chief of staff gave the order to hit the enemy after the unilateral ceasefire was terminated."

Duterte on Saturday night said he is suspending peace talks with the communist group.

He said he would not heed the CPP's call for him to release all political detainees.

Duterte made the announcement after he lifted on Friday the government's unilateral ceasefire with the CPP. The communist group lifted its ceasefire declaration first. —ALG, GMA News