MANILA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Four suspected rebels of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in clashes with Philippine troops in Northern Samar province in the central Philippines on Thursday, the military said.
In a report, the military said the first fighting broke out on early Thursday morning in a village in Las Navas. Another fight broke out later near the first encounter site, resulting in the killing of four rebels.
The troops swooped into the village after a concerned civilian reported that a group of armed men was conducting extortion and threatening the farmers in the area.
No soldiers were killed or wounded in the fighting.
NPA rebels have been fighting government troops since 1969. Military data showed that the NPA's personnel strength has declined since its peak of around 25,000 armed members in the 1980s.
Despite its dwindling fighters, the NPA continues to launch small-scale attacks in the countryside. ■
