MANILA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A policeman was killed and two others wounded in an attack by suspected leftist New People's Army (NPA) in the central Philippine province of Masbate on Sunday, police said.
Personnel of Baleno Municipal Police Station on board a patrol car were ambushed in Lagta village at around 5:40 a.m. local time while on their way back to the police station after responding to a report that a dead person was found in another village.
An improvised explosive device exploded along the road and this was followed by a burst of gunfire. The patrol car swerved and hit a concrete wall.
A police officer was fatally hit on the head during the explosion, while two other policemen were wounded during the gunfight, which lasted for 10 minutes.
The suspects fled to the hinterland villages of Aroroy town.
The NPA has been waging war against the Philippine government for over four decades.
