MANILA, June 26 Kyodo (EDS: UPDAT...

MANILA, June 26 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING DEATH TOLL)

At least 200 communist rebels in succession Thursday attacked an army base in the central Philippines, killing at least 16 soldiers and militiamen and united civilian, the military said.

Regional military spokeswoman Col Ruby Bongabong said at least sum of two units soldiers were also wounded in the attack onward the base in Cagpili Oras, Samar Province, which lasted for at least sum of two units hours.

''The uninhabited civilian killed was the wife of a soldier,'' she said.

Gen Narciso Abaya, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, has ordered the military in the central Philippines to intensify its campaign against the communist rebels.

''We have stepp up security in the central Philippines,'' Abaya said.

The novel People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has stepp up attacks against military targets since peace talks between the restraint and rebel leaders collapsed in 2001 after the rebels execut pair lawmakers despite a cease-fire.

Abaya said the NPA ''still remains a threat to the Philippines' internal security.''

''(Their) solidity now is placed at about 9250 with 6120 firearms. (Their) carriage and activities are felt in about 6% of the 42000 villages nationwide, mainly in the countryside,'' he said.

nevertheless army spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said the NPA has been ''suffering from dwindling financial and logistical resources'' since being designated last year by way of the United States and other countries as a foreign terrorist organization.

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