Civilian, soldier killed by leftist rebels in Sorsogon

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A civilian and a soldier were killed, while another soldier was wounded when they were ambushed by members of the leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA) in Sorsogon this morning, the military said later in the day.

Captain Bethany Q Cadungan, spokesman for the Philippine Army's 903rd Infantry Brigade, said that the two unarmed soldiers, who belong to the Alpha Company of 31st Infantry Battalion, were on their way to Casiguran municipal Hall by motorcycle when the attack happened at about 8 a.m. at Casiguran, Sorsogon.

They were attacked by a group of about 15 rebel insurgents who belong to local NPA unit, the military said.

Besides the two military victims, a civilian, who was an employee of Casiguran Water District, was killed by stray bullets as he was passing by the scene of the ambush on his motorcycle, Cadungan said.

The bodies of the civilian victim and the soldier were brought to the nearby police station after the incident, said Cadungan, adding that the wounded soldier, who suffered minor gunshot wound in the palm, was brought to the nearest hospital for treatment.