Two rebels die in Philippine clash

MANILA, Apr 08 (Xinhua): Philippine security forces killed two leftist fighters in a five-minute firefight on early Monday in Masbate, an island province in the country's central Bicol region.

Capt. Joash Pramis, the spokesperson of the Philippine Army's ninth Infantry Division, said troops and policemen clashed with seven New People's Army (NPA) rebels at 1:55 a.m. (local time) in Mandaon town in Masbate.

He said the joint operation was launched after villagers tipped off their presence in the area.

"They clashed with about seven communist terrorists. Two of them died. We still don't have their identities but their bodies are now with the Mandaon police for proper disposition," Pramis said.

Also recovered at the scene were an M16 rifle, a cal. 45 pistol and personal belongings of the rebels, Pramis added.

He said no one was reportedly killed or injured on the government side during the brief firefight.