BAGUIO CITY — Two government soldiers were wounded in a firefight with suspected communist guerrillas in the northern province of Abra on Sunday, authorities said.

Troops from the Philippine Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion engaged in a gunbattle with approximately 10 armed individuals believed to be members of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee.

The clash occurred around 12:15 p.m. in Sitio Ambalag, located within Barangay Lan-ag in the mountainous town of Lacub.

Reports also said that the Lacub Municipal Police Station was officially notified of the incident later that afternoon at approximately 3:50 p.m. following a telephone call from a military representative.

While two soldiers suffered injuries during the exchange of gunfire, the number of casualties on the rebel side remains undetermined.

Following the confrontation, an army medical team was deployed to treat and evacuate the wounded personnel. Operating troops in the area were placed on high alert and reinforced to conduct pursuit operations, while reserve military units were notified for potential deployment.

Local police departments in neighboring towns have been ordered to establish checkpoints along key roads to intercept fleeing suspects.