(UPDATE) 3 killed, 3 hurt in Lanao ambush

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Three people were killed while three others were injured in an ambush staged by a group of armed men in southern Philippines, a military official said today.

Major Dante Gania, public affairs officer of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division, said around eight armed men ambushed the group of a certain Sanal Datumanong Torayas at Tacub village, Malabang town in Lanao del Sur province at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday.

Gania said the victims were on their way to their farm when they were waylaid by the suspects led by a certain Luminog Ali, alias Orak Orak.

He said the two sides clashed for about 15 minutes. Torayas' group, Gania said, was reinforced by a certain Commander Asraf Montaner Taug and 20 of his men.

Gania said the dead included two teenage boys while Torayas was among those who were wounded.

The military official pointed to personal grudge as Ali's motive for staging the ambush.

He said troops from the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Battalion have been deployed to pursue the suspects.