Two government soldiers and a suspected left-wing rebel were killed in an encounter on Monday in the northern Philippine province of Abra, police and military reports said on Wednesday.
A belated report reaching the National Police headquarters said the clash happened in the morning of Monday in Tubo town, Philippine TV network GMA News reported.
Two platoons from the Philippine Army's 50th Infantry Battalion were on combat operations when they encountered around five suspected members of the rebel New People's Army.
The report said firefight lasted for five minutes, killing Private First Class Junior dela Cruz.
Another report from Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang said another soldier and an unidentified rebel also died in the firefight.
Six other soldiers were wounded, Maclang said.
The government aims to crush the insurgency movement by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
The military estimates the current strength of the New People's Army at 5,760.
Security forces are also bracing for attacks in connection with the 39th founding anniversary of the New People's Army on March 29.
Source:Xinhua
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