Military officials say troops have clashed with about 20 communist rebels in the northern Philippines, killing three guerrillas and capturing three others, including one wounded. The country's communist insurgency, one of Asia's longest-running, has raged on despite a deadline by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the military to crush the rebels by the end of her term on June 30. Army spokesman Maj. Ronald Jess Alcudia says a soldier was wounded in the fighting that broke out before dawn Thursday in Batangas province's Taysan township, 56 miles (90 kilometers) south of Manila. Several firearms also were recovered. He says troops responded to a tipoff from civilians that rebels were in the village of Mabayabas.
