MANILA, Feb. 26 -- Government troops have neutralized 13 communist insurgents and terrorists in operations in the Visayas and Mindanao from Feb. 18 to 24, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Sunday night.

In a statement, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said soldiers managed to neutralize 10 New People's Army (NPA) rebels and three terrorist Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) members.

"I commend our courageous troops who remain steadfast in defending our peace. You are our nation's heroes. With every victory, we edge nearer to our mission. Rest assured that the AFP will not falter until peace reigns in our country," he added.

On Feb. 24, troops from the 49th Infantry Battalion clashed with NPA rebels in Barangay Salvacion, Pio D...