In the Philippines, 12 anti-government rebels and a government militiaman have been killed following skirmishes in the southern province of Agusan del Sur. A military spokesman on Monday said the fighting with the New People's Army (NPA) rebels took place on Sunday at the boundary of Kauswagan and Loreto towns in the province. Major Eugenio Julio Osias said the fighting was so fierce that helicopter gunships were dispatched to support the engaged. He said the fighting lasted for about two hours, resulting in the death of a government militiaman who served as the guide for the soldiers. On the rebels side, Major Osias said they have information that at least 12 have died in the fighting. The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades.