Civilian hurt in Davao Oriental clash between AFP, NPA

MANILA, Philippines - A civilian was reported hurt in a clash between government and suspected communist forces in Davao Oriental Monday, a regional military spokesman said Tuesday. Major Armand Rico of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command said at 2:20 p.m. Monday, a squad of government militiamen under the Army's 72nd Infantry Battalion were fired upon by seven New People's Army (NPA) rebels at Sitio Likupon, Sanghay village in Mati City. A 12-minute firefight then ensued afterwhich the rebels withdrew toward an unknown direction. A civilian identified as Boy Gerona was hit by shrapnel from an M203 grenade launcher fired by the rebels, Rico said. The wounded civilian was then taken to a local hospital for treatment, he added. - GMANews.TV