- MANILA: The Philippine army says troops have killed a communist rebel and seized rebel firearms and homemade bombs in new clashes amid an impasse in peace talks.
Army Maj. Eugenio Osias says troops killed a New People’s Army rebel in a clash with about 20 insurgents in a farming village near southern Gingoog city at dawn Sunday. Troops recovered two claymore mines, a grenade, a laptop computer and rebel documents.
Army Lt. Col. Jun Pacatan says troops wounded about 10 rebels in another clash near Milagros town in central Masbate province. Troops seized four rifles and pistols and 20 homemade bombs abandoned by the rebels.
Yearslong peace talks brokered by Norway have stalled over rebel demands for the release of jailed guerrillas.

