Manila  - One communist rebel was killed and another captured in a clash with government troops in an eastern Philippine province, a military report said Friday.

The fighting erupted Thursday when patrolling soldiers encountered about 30 guerrillas in Aroroy town in Masbate province, 345 kilometres south-east of Manila, the report said.

Troops also recovered two M16 assault rifles, two pistols, two bandoleers with five long magazines and ammunition for the assault rifles.

General Alexander Yano, the military chief of staff, expressed confidence that the armed forces could successfully reduce the number of communist insurgents to inconsequential levels by the end of the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2010.

Zamboanga City, Philippines - Al-Qaeda-linked Muslim milita

Manila - Fierce fighting erupted Wednesday between government soldiers and Muslim secessionist rebels in the southern Philippines, killing one guerrilla, a military spokesman said.

Manila  -

Manila - Two people were killed and thousands were evacuated Saturday as a powerful typhoon lashed on a large area of the Philippines, a government agency said.