Manila  - One communist rebel was killed Saturday in a clash with government troops in an eastern Philippine town, a military report said.

The fighting erupted early Saturday when patrolling troops encountered heavily armed communist guerrillas in Candelaria town in Quezon province, 120 kilometres south-east of Manila.

Government troops also recovered one assault rifle from the slain guerrilla, who has yet to be identified.

Manila - Injuries caused by rowdy New Year's Eve revelries in the Philippines declined 25 per cent due to intermittent rains and the global economic crunch, the health chief said Thursday.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said hospitals recorded only 346 cases of New Year's Eve injuries, a sharp decline from 417 cases in the previous year.

Duque said intermittent rains overnight contributed to a decline in the use of fireworks.

Manila  - Communist rebels in the Philippines said Friday they expect more people to join the decades-old insurgency movement as they suffer "terrible" hardships brought about by the global financial crisis.

In a message marking the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), founding chairman Jose Maria Sison said the rebel group already had "tens of thousands" of members but more were needed for "gigantic tasks ahead."

Manila - A strong quake rocked the southern Philippines on Thursday, causing panic among some residents, but no casualties or damage were reported, an official said.

Manila  - The Philippine government Wednesday warned against possible terrorist attacks while the predominantly Catholic country celebrates Christmas and urged the public to be vigilant.

Presidential Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said security forces had received information "a few months back" on plans by terrorist groups to launch attacks during the holidays.

He said the government had been preparing since then for possible terrorist attacks.

"We don't want to take chances, whether there is information or not, we are assuming there are people who want to create trouble."

Manila  - More than a year after escaping his military captors, Raymond Manalo still has nightmares about gushing water pummelling his face, combat boots cracking his ribs and the dark cage-like room where he was chained for more than a month.

"I did not expect to live a minute longer," the 28-year-old farmer told Deutsche Press-Agentur, dpa, recalling his 18-month captivity in various military camps in the Philippines. "The pain is numbing, but the numbness was only a prelude to more pain."

Manalo and his brother Reynaldo, 38, were among more than 200 victims of forced disappearances under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since
2001.