US Citizens Killed in Philippine-NPA Clash

0:00It's April 26, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Canada News today, your AI-powered local news. Philippine troops clash with suspected new people's army guerrillas on April 19, in Tboso, Negro's Occidental, killing 19 fighters, including two Americans. The government task force confirmed the deaths happened in a series of firefights, marking a big blow to the communist insurgents. These Americans, Lyle Preholz and Kai Dona-Renae-Sorum, arrived in the Philippines last March and headed straight to the area. Officials are warning Americans of Filipino descent to watch out for left-wing groups luring folks into what they call terror grooming. Both the U.S. and Philippines label the new people's army a terrorist outfit. Human rights groups are pushing hard for an independent probe, claiming civilians got caught in the crossfire like a student leader from the University of the Philippines, farmer advocates, and a community journalist there to help poor villagers. They say this fits a pattern of violations in rural spots.

1:02Troops grab 24 firearms from the scene and nab some fleeing rebels. The new people's army has shrunk from a peak of 25,000 fighters decades back to under 900 now, thanks to defeats, splits, and surrenders. These talks fell apart under the last president. All 19 bodies are identified and handed to families, with the task force stressing how foreign involvement turns risky fast. Thoughts go out to those grieving across the ocean, as this insurgency drags on.