At least 19 people have been killed since the weekend in the Philippines in a spurt of violence linked to a long-running left-wing rebellion, officials said on Monday. Philippine soldiers, backed by helicopter gunships, killed 15 rebels and captured another 12 after the guerrillas raided police stations on a southern island known as a surfing destination, an army spokesman was quoted as saying by Reuters. The New People's Army (NPA) rebels were part of a 30-member group that attacked two police outposts on Siargao island in the southern region of Mindanao and killed two police officers late on Saturday, officials said. Four officers were also injured. Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner told reporters 15 rebels were killed and 12 were taken captive after gunbattles with the fleeing guerrillas on Sunday and early on Monday. Elsewhere in the Mindanao region, rebel gunmen killed two solders eating breakfast at a restaurant in the town of Nabunturan on Monday, the local mayor said.
