MANILA, Philippines - Three communist rebels were killed and two soldiers were hurt Wednesday in a clash in Juban, Sorsogon, the military said.
Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman Maj. Angelo Guzman said the encounter happened at 5:40 a.m. in the coastal part of Barangay Tinago.
Members of the 31st Infantry Battalion and about 15 members of the New People's Army (NPA) figured in the 25-minute firefight.
The military is still validating the identities of the three slain rebels. The two wounded soldiers were hit by improvised explosive shrapnels and were brought to the Sorsogon Doctors Hospital for treatment.
Government forces seized two AK50 rifles, one cal .45 pistol, two laptop computers and other similar equipment.
The 903rd Infantry Brigade has deployed additional troops and K9 trackers to run after the insurgents. - With Levi Mora