Manila, Aug. 28 -- Two combatants of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in a brief and intense armed encounter in the upland San Jose village in Mapanas, Northern Samar, on Wednesday.

The Philippine Army reported Thursday that soldiers seized from the clash site two M16 rifles, hundreds of M14 ammunition, five long magazines, and other war materiel.

"During the firefight, government troops outmaneuvered the enemy, leaving two dead rebels behind and forcing the rest of the group to flee in disarray," the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division said in a statement.

The government side did not sustain any injuries, while the military has yet to release the identify the slain rebels.

Initial information from the Army's 803rd Infantry...