4 leftist rebels nabbed in Negros

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Four suspected members of the leftist rebel group of New People's Army (NPA) were captured in Negros Occidental in an encounter with government troops on Friday afternoon, the military said today.

Major Ray Tiongson, chief of the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division public affairs office, said that troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with some 20 leftist rebels in Plagatasanon village in Guihulngan City Friday afternoon when they were conducting community security patrol.

The firefight ensued for 15 minutes afterwhich the rebels withdrew in different directions, leaving behind four of their comrades, he said.

Aside from the captured leftist rebels, the government troops also recovered from their possession one M-14 rifle with one magazine containing live ammunitions, two hand grenades, seven backpacks with jungle hammocks and personal items, and subversive documents of high intelligence value, he added.