Three rebels killed in southern Philippines clashes

DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- Three communist rebels were killed and a young member was captured by government troops in separate clashes in the southern Philippines on Wednesday, the Mindanao Examiner reported.



Two rebels were killed and a young female rebel captured in Malita town in Davao del Sur province where the fighting broke out. Two New People's Army rebels also surrendered to the military.



"The encounter initiated by the troops was due to the public clamor on the recent atrocities committed by the New People's Army rebels who murdered Datu Danwata in Malita town," said Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Santiago.



Rebels killed the tribal leader early this month in retaliation for his active role in the military operation against the New People's Army in the town.

 Troops also clashed with another band of rebels and killed one of them in the village of Manay in Davao Oriental province, Santiago said. 



The New People's Army is the military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Peace talks between the government and the Party remain stalled since August 2004.

Last week, the government and the CPP-led National Democratic Front agreed to negotiate a ceasefire from February 15 to 21 in Norway. 

The rebels have been fighting for decades for the establishment of Maoist state in the largely Catholic country.

((BNO NEWS) )