Philippines jail break foiled

Communist rebels in the southern Philippines have attacked a jail compound with mortar shells and small-arms fire in a bid to free a detained comrade.

Regional military spokesman Major Armand Rico said the attack failed because of a prompt response by military and police forces. No casualties have been reported.

Maj Rico said army troops backed by two armoured vehicles arrived at the Sarangani provincial jail minutes after the rebels fired three mortar rounds and forced them to withdraw.