Five leftist rebels killed in Philippines

Five leftist rebels were killed in a clash with policemen in the Philippines' Pampanga province on Tuesday, police said.

A senior police officer said the rebels belonged to the Marxist-Leninist party of the Philippines, Revolutionary People's Army (RHB), Xinhua reported.

The group broke away from the New People's Army in the 1990s.

The officer said the incident occurred at San Jose Matulid village, involving forces of the provincial intelligence branch and a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

"The suspects were alleged to be responsible in the robbery hold-up, car napping, gun-for-hire and extortion activities in Pampanga and nearby provinces," he said.

Police seized four handguns, two carbine rifles, an M16 rifle, a hand grenade, two .38 calibre revolvers, ammunition, four motorcycles, and communication equipment.