3 soldiers injured in clash with leftist rebels in Mindoro

MANILA, Philippines - Three soldiers were injured after an encounter with members of the leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA) in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro yesterday afternoon.

Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesman of the Philippine Army's Southern Luzon Command, said soldiers from the 76th Infantry Battalion were on patrol near Lagnas in Batasan village when they encountered the NPAs at 3:15 p.m.

"They were fired upon while approaching the area," said Bolina.

He said the soldiers were deployed to the area after the military received complaint about the extortion activities of leftist rebels.

The Philippine government had earlier warned the NPAs that it will not tolerate its move to set up checkpoints and resort to extortion.