BACOLOD CITY, May 17 -- Renewed clash between Philippine Army troops and New People's Army (NPA) remnants in Cauayan, Negros Occidental over the weekend claimed the lives of five communist rebels, the military said in a report.

Information from the locals led soldiers of the 15th Infantry Battalion to the location of South West Front fighters and a running gunbattle ensued in the vicinity of barangays Abaca, Poblacion and Man-uling.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, commander 302nd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said the heavy losses suffered by the NPA "exposes the deteriorating condition" of the dismantled rebel front.

"The continued collapse of communist-terrorist formations in Negros reflects the growing rejection of violent arme...