MANILA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Five suspected rebels were killed in a clash with Philippine government forces on Tuesday in Camarines Sur province in Luzon island, the Philippine army said.
In a social media post, the army said that the five New People's Army (NPA) insurgents died from fighting. The military said it is still going after the rebels.
The clash came just five days after two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded when anti-personnel landmines allegedly planted by NPA fighters exploded during security operations in a mountainous village in Camarines Sur province on Friday.
The NPA has waged a decades-long insurgency since 1969, seeking to overthrow the government.
The group continues to operate mainly in rural areas across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, though security officials say its ranks have sharply declined in recent years.
According to the military, the NPA's current strength is estimated at around 1,000 fighters -- far below its peak of roughly 25,000 in the mid-1980s. ■