6 killed in Philippines as gov't forces clash with rebels

Six people were killed late Friday and early Saturday in the Philippines during two violent clashes between the New People's Army (NPA) rebels and government forces, the military said.

Four policemen were killed at around 6 a.m. local time in a so- called "liquidation" activity by the NPA rebels, the military's Southern Luzon Command told reporters.

The ambush killing took place at a remote village in Panda town of Catanduanes province, the central Philippines, military spokesman Rhoderick Parayno said.

Parayno said the gunmen escaped after the incident, carting away an M14, two M16 rifles and the cal. 45 pistol.

At Roxas town of Palawan province in the east, two NPA guerrillas were killed following a clash with Marine soldiers on Friday night, Marine spokesman Ariel Caculitan said.

The government soldiers caught up with a 15-man rebel group at around 10 p.m. local time. Two of the rebels were killed after a brief firefight, he said, adding that there were no casualties on the government troops.

The NPA is a 7,000-strong anti-government armed group, which has been active throughout the country since three decades ago.

Source: Xinhua