Seven dead in military clash with armed communist rebels in the Philippines

A soldier and six militants were killed in a military clash with armed communist rebels in the Philippines on Sunday.

Troops from the 59th Infantry 'Protector' Battalion, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Air Force were 'conducting combat operations' when they encountered some 15 members of the New People's Army in Malalay town, Batangas province, on December 17.