Manila - Millions of Filipinos flocked to the cemeteries throughout the Philippines on Saturday in the annual tradition of remembering their dead.

Police and military forces have been deployed around the cemeteries and other key public installations to ensure that the two-day event would be peaceful.

Different government agencies and volunteer organizations have set-up booths just outside the cemeteries to provide assistance to those needing help.

The Philippine National Red Cross said it mobilized thousands of volunteers nationwide to provide medical assistance to people going to the cemeteries.

Manila - One government soldier and two communist rebels were killed in separate clashes in the eastern Philippines, an army spokesman said Thursday.

One soldier and one communist rebel were killed on Wednesday during a clash in Basey town in Samar province, 570 kilometres south-east of Manila, said Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner.

Brawner said another soldier was wounded in the fighting that erupted when patrolling troops encountered heavily-armed communist rebels in the village of Bulao in Basey.

In a separate clash on Wednesday, one communist rebel was also killed in the town of Candelaria, also in the eastern province of Quezon.

Manila - Philippine stocks surged 4.73 per cent on Thursday following gains in regional markets and the US Federal Reserve's interest rate cut, traders said.

The 30-share composite index added 84.29 points to close up for the second straight session at 1,864.93, from Wednesday's finish of 1,780.64.

A total of 1.885 billion shares worth 2.517 billion pesos (51.367 million dollars) were traded.

Gainers swamped losers 88 to 21, while 27 issues were unchanged.

Manila - Philippine troops recovered three homemade bombs planted in a bus terminal in the southern Philippines, an army spokesman said Wednesday.

The improvised explosive devices were found Tuesday in Kabacan town in North Cotabato province, 960 kilometres south of Manila, according to Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner.

Brawner said the bombs were made from 81-millimetre and 60-millimetre mortars that were attached to electric blasting caps with mechanical timers.

Manila - Philippine share prices rose 4.47 per cent on Wednesday as investors snapped up bargain stocks following overnight gains in Wall Street.

The 30-share composite index of the Philippine Stock Exchange added 76.23 points to close at 1,780.64 from Tuesday's finish of 1,704.41.

A total of 1.158 billion shares worth 2.319 billion pesos (47.32 million dollars) were traded.

Gainers led losers 87 to 27, while 41 issues were unchanged.