Norzagaray: A suspected rebel was killed in a clash with Philippine troops in Bulacan province, north of Manila, a military report said Saturday. The report detailed that troops were responding to information about the presence of armed men in a village when they encountered a group of 20 New People's Army (NPA) rebels on Friday afternoon in Norzagaray.

According to Namibia Press Agency, as the soldiers approached the target area, they were reportedly met with gunfire, leading to a 10-minute firefight. The insurgents fled during the encounter, leaving behind their dead comrade, an M14 rifle, and several jungle packs.

No soldiers were either killed or wounded in the clash. The NPA rebels have been engaged in conflict with government forces since 1969. Military data indicates that the NPA's personnel strength has significantly decreased from its peak of approximately 25,000 armed members in the 1980s.

Despite the reduction in their numbers, the NPA continues to carry out small-scale attacks in rural areas.