Tacloban city, July 31 -- Four New People's Army (NPA) combatants were killed in a clash with soldiers early Thursday in the upland San Isidro village in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division (ID) reported that government forces also recovered from the NPA hideout four M16 rifles and one M203 grenade launcher after the clash that started at 2:30 a.m.

"The terrorist's hideouts were heavily fortified and surrounded by International Humanitarian Law-banned anti-personnel mines that prompted the troops to call for fire support," Capt. Jefferson Mariano, 8th ID spokesperson, said, citing initial reports.

Reinforcing forces from the Army's 803rd Infantry Brigade also encountered more rebels at around 10 a.m. ...