Two government soldiers and a civilian were killed in a surprise attack staged by leftist guerrillas in central Philippines over the weekend, the military said Sunday, Xinhua reported.
Lt. Col. Armand Rico, public information officer of the Army's 8th Infantry Division, told reporters that the troops were attacked while they were conducting regular community security checks in Catarman town of Northern Samar province at Saturday noon.
Rico said military pursuit is ongoing following the attack.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades. Military estimates placed the NPA strength at less than 5, 000 men scattered in scores of guerrilla fronts throughout the country.
Peace talks between the government and the leftists bogged down in 2004 after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations. The military is aiming to end the leftist insurgency problem next year as ordered by President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo.
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