Three soldiers killed in Philippines ambush

Manila, May 1 (IANS) Three soldiers were killed when suspected New People's Army militants ambushed government troops at Sitio Daing village in Ilocos Sur province in northern Philippines Thursday morning, the military said.

A team of soldiers from the 50th Infantry Battalion was going in a military vehicle to buy medicines for a medical mission when they were attacked by the armed group at 9.30 a.m. Thursday. Three soldiers were shot dead and another was injured, Xinhua reported.

A pursuit operation has been launched while the wounded have been taken to a nearby hospital, said Commander Gregorio Catapang.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla war in the countryside for more than four decades. The military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in about 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country.