Two suspected rebels killed in clash with troops in Philippines

MANILA (Xinhua): Philippine troops and suspected rebels clashed in Northern Samar province in the central Philippines on Saturday afternoon, killing two insurgents and injuring a soldier, the military said on Sunday.

The military said a 20-minute gunfight between the troops and New People's Army (NPA) rebels broke out before 1 p.m. local time on Saturday in a coastal town. The troops recovered two M16 assault rifles and an M14 rifle at the clash site.

NPA rebels have been fighting the government since 1969. They concentrate their attacks on rural areas and have skirmishes with the military.

Military data showed that the NPA is estimated to have 2,000 members, significantly lower than its peak strength in the 1980s. - Xinhua