MANILA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Three leftist rebels were killed and two government soldiers were wounded in a clash in northern Philippines on Wednesday morning, military said.
Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the military's Southern Luzon Command, said a battalion of soldiers were on security operation in Tinago Village, Juban town, Sorsogon Province around 5:40 a.m. when they encountered 15 members from New People's Army (NPA).
After a 25-minute firefight, rebels retreated leaving three dead bodies.
Capt. Clint Antipala, public affairs officer of the Army's 903rd Brigade, said the soldiers were sent to the village "to ensure the safety" of doctors and other civilians involved in Medical, Optical, Legal and Dental mission on Wednesday.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign against the government in the countryside for four decades. Military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country.
