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Philippines Attacks Communist Rebels, Muslim Terrorists

Philippine troops, backed by rocket-firing helicopters, killed at least 18 communist rebels in a northern farming town Tuesday in their bloodiest clash in months, officials said. In a separate battle, Philippine marines fought Muslim rebels linked to al Qaeda on southern Jolo island, the military said.

An Abu Sayyaf militant was killed in the security sweep ahead of next month`s joint exercises by U.S. and Philippine troops. The fighting in the north, about 80 miles north of the capital of Manila, began when about 25 New People`s Army guerrillas opened fire on approaching army troops, officials said.

Eighteen of the rebels were killed in the day-long clashes, a military spokesman said. There were no immediate reports of casualties among government troops, though there were unofficial reports that confirmed the Philippine marines did not suffer any casualties.