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11 killed in clashes near Philippines rebel camp

AP - Saturday, September 27

MANILA, Philippines - Battles near a communist rebel camp in the southern Philippines have killed at least eight guerrillas and three soldiers, a military spokesman said Friday.

Maj. Armand Rico said three soldiers were killed Friday when they tripped land mines planted near a New People's Army camp outside Lingig township in Surigao del Sur province. At least 14 other soldiers were wounded, he said.

Government soldiers overran the camp Wednesday following a three-hour battle with about 80 guerrillas.

The rebels have withdrawn, but sporadic clashes in the area continued Friday, Rico said.

Informants have reported that eight guerrillas have been killed since Wednesday, although no bodies have been recovered, he said.

The soldiers killed Friday had been pursuing rebels along their withdrawal route, Rico said.

He said more soldiers were being brought by helicopters to the area.

The New People's Army, which the military estimates to have 5,000 fighters, has become more active in recent months, attacking remote military and police outposts to seize badly needed weapons.

Peace negotiations to end the nearly 40-year-old insurgency stalled in 2004 after the rebels accused the government of instigating their inclusion on U.S. and European Union terrorist lists.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the military to wipe out the rebels by 2010, when her term ends.

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