TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 24 -- Government troops clashed with members of the New People's Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Gandara and San Jorge, Samar on Sunday, resulting in the death of a female rebel and the recovery of several high-powered firearms.

The Philippine Army's 46th Infantry Battalion, operating under the 801st Infantry Brigade (IB), reported on Monday that a female member of the Sub-Regional Committee Browser of the NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee was killed during the series of armed encounter that started on Saturday.

Troops recovered two M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, war materiel, and personal belongings at the encounter site. The military said the seizure deals a blow to the operational capability of the NPA in ...