13 communist rebels killed in Luzon clashes

MANILA -- The Philippine Army said it killed at least 13 communist rebels during two separate clashes on Saturday, in the biggest loss for the guerrillas in a single day this year.

In Quezon province, 11 suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with troopers of the 2nd Infantry Division's 201st Infantry Brigade in Sitio Makuyokuyo, Barangay White Cliff in San Narciso town Saturday morning.

Colonel Bartolome Bacarro, 2nd Infantry Division assistant chief for operations, said the encounter took place around 11:10 a.m. when the soldiers conducting routine patrol operations chanced upon 15 NPA members in the area.

A firefight broke out between the two groups, resulting in the killing of 11 of the rebels. Their companions managed to escape.

Recovered from the encounter area were five M-16 automatic rifles, one M-203 grenade launcher, one M-79, one 12-gauge shotgun and assorted ammunition.

Intelligence reports indicated that the rebel group was supposed to attack military and police targets in the area when the patrolling soldiers chanced upon them.

In Zambales province, two NPA rebels were killed and one was captured in a clash early Saturday between soldiers and about a dozen NPA rebels.

The military said villagers informed government troops of the presence of NPA guerrillas near their communities.

Government and rebel negotiators failed last week to agree to resume talks on ending the 42-year-old insurgency. (AP/PNA/Sunnex)