2 leftist rebels killed in Catanduanes

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Two suspected members of the leftist New People's Army (NPA) were killed today in an encounter with government troops in Catanduanes, the military said.

According to Colonel Generoso Bolina, spokesman for the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command, a group of soldiers from the 83rd Infantry Battalion clashed with some 14 rebels at Manambrag village in San Andres town at around 3:30 p.m. local time on Friday.

The government forces were sent in the area to verify complaints of local civilians on the presence of armed men extorting them, said Bolina.

Bolina said there was no casualty from the government side, while two rebels died in the clash. Two high powered firearms were also recovered from the rebels by government troops, he added.