Troops kill 16 armed rebels in heated clash at central Philippines

MANILA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua): Philippine government troops killed on Monday 16 armed rebels in a military offensive in the central Philippines' Eastern Samar province, a spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has announced.

Colonel Ramon Zagala said the troops conducted "ground, air, sea operations" against the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Dolores town, resulting in the death of the rebels.

"Our troops acted on information received from the community which pointed them to the terrorists' hideout where they manufacture the explosives," Zagala said in a statement.

The spokesperson said the troops also seized 19 high-powered firearms from the NPA rebels, adding more details of the clash will be provided later due to "operational security matters."

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte restarted the talks to end the decades-old insurgency when he came to power in 2016, but the negotiations faltered.

The NPA rebels have been fighting the government since 1969. They concentrate their attacks in rural areas and small-scale skirmishes with the military.

The NPA estimated strength is at 3,000, significantly lower than its peak strength in the 1980s. - Xinhua