3 killed, 13 wounded in northern Philippine clash

Three government soldiers were killed and 13 others injured in an ambush staged by New People's Army (NPA) rebels on Monday night in Kalinga province, which Philippine military declared as "insurgency-free" five years ago.

Brig. Gen. Paul Atal, commander of the army's 503rd brigade, said the rebels first detonated landmines before opening fire on the troops who were aboard three military trucks and on the way back to their base.

Atal said the incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. in Apatan village in Pinukpuk town. He said the troops had been receiving reports about sightings of NPA rebels in Pinukpuk and in the nearby town of Balbalan, prompting the troops to conduct operations against the rebels.

However, the operation was terminated, apparently after falling to have an armed engagement with the rebels.

"They were on the way back to their command post when they were ambushed," the official said of the attacked soldiers.

He said the troops returned fire, ensuing a 25-minute skirmish.

"After the explosions, we fought back," said Atal, adding that casualties of NPA remains unclear.

The Armed Forces declared Kalinga as "insurgency free" in November 2010. The insurgency free branding was later renamed by the military as "peaceful and ready for further development."

At present, there are 60 provinces that were already declared as insurgency-free or peaceful and ready for further development.

The NPA has been waging a guerrilla campaign against the government in the countryside for four decades. Military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men.