(UPDATE) 1 killed, 2 hurt in Cotabato clash

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A village peacekeeper was killed while two others were injured in a clash with a group of armed men in southern Philippines yesterday, a military official said today.

Major Dante Gania, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division, said members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) encountered the armed group at Tugal village, Midsayap town in North Cotabato province at 3:25 p.m., Thursday.

Gania said the BPATs were under Tugal's village chairman Ping Kolikong Pulalon while the armed group was led by Kagi Tadog from Kapinpilan village.

It was not immediately clear which group initiated the firefight which lasted for about 25 minutes.