MANILA, Dec. 4 -- The Philippine Army (PA) has vowed relentless operations against New People's Army (NPA) "remnants" following Wednesday's clash in Samar that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

In a statement Wednesday night, PA chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete called on the remaining NPA members to "abandon armed struggle and pursue peaceful reintegration."

"We will have no letup as troops continue to track down and pursue communist terrorist group remnants," he warned.

Nafarette issued the statement following the clash between the 46th Infantry Battalion and NPA rebels in San Jose de Buan, Samar on the wee hours of Wednesday where two soldiers were killed.

Initial information revealed that the two fatalities are both technical...