MANILA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Philippine security forces clashed with rebels and militants over the weekend, killing four, including a soldier, and wounding two other soldiers, authorities said on Monday.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Hector Estolas said troops and police clashed twice with around 30 New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rizal province, east of Metro Manila, on Friday, killing a soldier and injuring two others.
Police Brigadier General Allan Nobleza said police also clashed with alleged members of the criminal group Dawlah Islamiya during a raid in Lanao del Sur province in the southern Philippines on Sunday, killing three militants.
Nobleza added fighting broke out when police served an arrest warrant to a militant leader charged with illegally possessing firearms and explosives.
NPA rebels have been fighting the government since 1969. They concentrate their attacks on rural areas and have skirmishes with the military.
Military data showed that the NPA is estimated to have 2,000 members, significantly lower than its peak strength in the 1980s. ■