Philippine military says it killed 23 communist rebels in past month

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine military says it killed three communist rebels in a clash in a province north of the capital, bringing the number of guerrillas who have died in combat in the past month to 23.

Col. Henry Sabarre says the three New People's Army fighters were part of a 12-man team that clashed Friday with soldiers in Dona Remedios Trinidad township in Bulacan province.

He says the guerrillas fired on the troops as they approached to check reports of the presence of armed men in the area.

At least 20 guerrillas were killed earlier in three separate clashes around the country since last month. One soldier has died.

Norway-brokered talks on ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies collapsed two years ago.