Tacloban, June 26: Communist rebels attacked an Army camp in the central Philippines today, killing at least 17 people, police said. Regional police chief Senior Supt. Edwin Pfleider said the camp in Cagpili village, outside Oras town in Eastern Samar province, came under attack by the communist New People's Army at around 4.00 IST today.
Details were sketchy, but he said at least 11 soldiers, five government militiamen and a wife of a soldier were killed. The rebels suffered an undermined number of casualties, he said. Army reinforcements were sent to the area, he said, adding the attackers were ``many.''
The rebels did not comment immediately. The New People's Army, which claims to have about 13,500 fighters, has been battling for a Marxist state for over 30 years.
The government suspended peace talks in 2001 after guerrillas assassinated a former congressman. The Norwegian government, which brokered the last round of talks in Oslo, is trying to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table. Bureau Report