Communist rebels kill 5 soldiers in Philippines

Manila: A Philippine military spokesman says communist guerrillas have killed five soldiers and wounded two others in a clash after the rebels raided a mining company in the central Philippines. Army Capt. Leo Christopher Cunanan said New People`s Army guerrillas clashed early today with security forces pursuing them a day after they raided the Philex Mining Corp. Facility in a village in central Negros Occidental province. The military believed the rebels suffered casualties but had no details.

He says rebels burned two employee barracks, mining equipment and a generator in the latest attack on mining companies in the country. The rebels also seized six firearms from soldiers. Such hit-and-run attacks have been common throughout the 44-year Marxist insurgency. Norwegian-brokered peace talks have stalled. Each side blames the other for the breakdown. PTI