Police killed by communist rebels in Philippines

Police in the Philippines said communist rebels exploded a land mine and opened fire on a patrol vehicle east of the capital Manila, killing four and wounding five officers.

Police commander Leocadio Santiago said government troops joined a manhunt for the New People’s Army rebels in Rizal province following today’s ambush, one of the latest flare-ups in the decades-old insurgency.

He said about 20 rebels hiding in the bush along the road in the remote township of Baras outnumbered police when they opened fire then detonated a mine under the police vehicle.

The rebels fled after taking away at least nine M16 rifles.