(UPDATE) 1 killed as suspected leftist rebels, soldiers clash in Sorsogon

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A farmer was killed after he was hit by stray bullets during a firefight between government troops and suspected leftist rebels in eastern Philippines today morning, a military official said.

1Lt. Clint Antipala, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 903rd Brigade, said soldiers patrolling San Jose village, Bulusan town in Sorsogon province were fired upon by an undetermined number of New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas.

Antipala said leftist rebels withdrew after a 15-minute firefight with the soldiers. While the government side suffered no casualty, he said some of the NPA guerrillas may have been killed or wounded based on traces of blood found in the encounter site.

After the skirmish, he said troops recovered two backpacks containing rally paraphernalia. They also discovered that a civilian was caught in the crossfire.

Antipala said soldiers belonging to the 31st Infantry Battalion were patrolling the area after receiving reports that leftist rebels were convincing residents to join a rally to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Sept. 21.