Soldiers kill 5 suspected rebels in central Philippines

MANILA: Five suspected rebels were killed in a clash with soldiers in central Philippines on Sunday, a military spokesperson said.

Army Colonel Erwin Rommel Lamzon said the clash occurred on Sunday morning in Negros Occidental province.

Lamzon said the fighting resulted in the killing of three female and two male New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Lamzon said no soldier was killed or wounded in the gunfight.

NPA rebels have been fighting against government troops since 1969.

Military data showed that the NPA’s personnel strength has declined since its peak of around 25,000 armed members in the 1980s.

Despite its dwindling fighters, the NPA continues to launch small-scale attacks in the countryside.

-Xinhua