Philippine troops kill 9 communist rebels
Updated
Philippines Army says nine communist rebels and two policemen were killed when security forces clashed with communist guerrillas who were raiding a southern Philippines resort island.
The New People's Army blew up telecommunications links to Siargao island, the country's surfing capital and ransacked the municipal police armories.
The rebels were ambushed by security officials in nearby Lapinigan island as they tried to retreat.
The NPA is the 5,000-member armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. It has been waging a 39-year Maoist armed campaign across the country.
