(UPDATE) 2 suspected leftist rebels killed in Davao

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Two suspected leftist rebels were killed in a firefight with government troops yesterday afternoon in southern Philippines, a military official said today.

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Eastern Mindanao Command, the encounter occurred in Gupitan village in Kapalong town, Davao del Norte province-the same site where suspected leftist rebels and troops clashed last Sunday.

Before noon on Sunday, troops from the Philippine Army's 60th Infantry Battalion were on a security patrol when they caught up with about 30 members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Gupitan village. The one-hour firefight left two NPA guerrillas dead.

On Wednesday afternoon, Caber said pursuing troops caught up with the leftist rebels at Gupitan village, leading to a 50-minute firefight.

He said the encounter also resulted in the recovery an AK-47 rifle, two M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, and an improvised explosive device.

No one was reported killed or injured on the side of the government troops. Caber said the military's pursuit operations against the fleeing leftist rebels will continue.