Date:01/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/01/stories/2006020106401600.htm

International

18 rebels killed in Philippine battle

MANILA: Eighteen rebel militants of the New People's Army (NPA) guerillas were killed on Tuesday following a fire-fight with government forces in the outskirts of Sta Ignacia town in Tarlac, about 149 km north of Manila, the military said. Quoting sketchy reports from the field, Northern Luzon military spokesman Preme Monta said the fighting between the Army's 71st Infantry Battalion and NPA rebels broke out around 5 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning and ended around 2 p.m. ``We assaulted a major encampment of the rebels in the area,'' Mr. Monta told a press briefing. ``We have recovered 18 bodies and firearms from the scene,'' said Mr. Monta, adding that the government forces suffered no casualties. — Xinhua