Militiaman wounded in leftist rebel ambush in Butuan

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - A pro-government militiaman was wounded in an alleged ambush by leftist rebels in the southern Philippines over the weekend, the military said today.

The victim was identified as Crisanto Pangarga Jr., 44, a member of paramilitary Citizen Armed Auxiliary (CAA). He sustained multiple gunshot wounds following the attack at Manila de Bugabos village, in Butuan City past 6 a.m.local time, according to Captain Christian Uy, spokesperson of the army's 4th Infantry Division.

Captain Uy said the unarmed militiaman , who moonlights as a tricycle driver, has just dropped off two passengers and was on his way home when waylaid by three New People's Army guerrillas armed with assault rifles.

"The victim survived the attack despite suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He's now being treated at the regional military hospital in Butuan," Uy said in a statement, adding police and army troops were conducting pursuit operations against the attackers.

The Philippine army oversees the 50,000-strong CAA militia. The militia perform military duties and assist the army and police in their counterinsurgency operations against leftist rebels.