Six dead in communist clashes in Philippines
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Six people were killed in fresh clashes between communist insurgents and government forces in the Philippines just days before both sides begin exploratory peace talks, security officials said Saturday.
One soldier was killed in a battle with insurgents on Saturday while four rebels and one policeman died in a clash two days earlier in incidents in the southern Philippines, police and military spokesmen said.
The clash on Thursday occurred while police were checking on reports the rebels were planning to burn construction equipment in the southern island of Mindanao, said superintendent Querubin Manalang.
"That is how the (communist) new people's Army are: If you don't pay their revolutionary taxes, either they kill you or burn your equipment," said Manalang, the local police spokesman.
In December, the government accused the communists of making millions through extortion of rural businesses, warning they may raise the issue at coming peace talks.
Norway said Friday that from January 14 to 18, it would host exploratory talks that could lead to a relaunch of the peace process between Manila and the communist insurgents.
The Scandinavian country has played a facilitating role in the Philippines' peace process since 2001 and has hosted previous rounds of unsuccessful negotiations.
Negotiations with the communists collapsed in 2005 after the government of then-President Gloria Arroyo refused their demands, including having the group removed from US and EU watchlists of foreign terrorist organisations.
The new people's Army launched its uprising in 1969, and thousands of people have been killed during what has become one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies.
The military recently said the insurgent ranks have fallen to only 4,100 fighters.
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