11 leftist rebels captured in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines - The military has captured 11 suspected members of the leftist New People's Army (NPA) and recovered 13 high-powered firearms and explosives in latest operations in Bulacan yesterday, a military spokesman said today.

Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said that the Philippine Army's 56th Infantry Battalion recently received information from local civilians on the presence of around 30 fully-armed leftist rebels in Kabayunan village in Dona Remedios Trinidad, a town in Bulacan.

According to the Mr. Burgos, the armed group allegedly was sending permit-to-campaign letters to the local candidates who are running for the May 13 mid-term polls.

He said the government troops, in coordination with the local police, proceeded to the area to go after these rebels. Two succeeding operations were conducted which resulted to the apprehension of the 11 rebels and the recovery of the firearms, Burgos said.

The arrested rebels and confiscated firearms were transported to Bulacan Provincial Police Office for proper documentation and filing of appropriate charges, he added.