50 evacuated in Cagayan as police clash with suspected rebels

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Around 50 people were evacuated in Cagayan after police clashed with suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA).

In a statement, the Cagayan Provincial Information Office said the Regional Mobile Force Company (RMFB2) encountered the suspected rebels at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Barangay Niug Norte in Santo Niño.

The evacuees were taken to a barangay gymnasium to ensure their safety.

"Naglatag na rin ng high risk checkpoint ang mga kapulisan sa Barangay Centro at nakipag-ugnayan na rin ang tropa ng pamahalaan sa iba pang unit upang mamonitor ang sitwasyon sa lugar," the statement read.

[Translation: Police have also set up a high risk checkpoint in Barangay Centro and government troops have also contacted other units to monitor the situation in the area.]