MANILA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A New People's Army (NPA) insurgent died following a clash with government soldiers in the Philippine province of Quezon Monday morning, a military spokesman reported.

    Lt. Celeste Frank Sayson, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Battalion, said the troops were on combat operation when they caught up with six rebels around 7 a.m. local time (2300GMT Sunday) at a village of Villaveronica in Buenavista town.

    After a brief clash, the troops recovered the body of one of the rebels. The five other rebels were able to flee and are subject of a pursuit operation.

    Also found at the site of the encounter was a hand grenade.

    "Pursuit operation and checkpoints were done by troops and the along possible enemy exit nets," said Sayson.

    The military is aiming to defeat the NPA before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo finishes her term in June next year. Peace talks with the leftists are expected to resume this month after a five-year impasse.