(UPDATE) 8 dead as leftist rebels attack Compostela towns

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Eight people died and several others were wounded in a series of clashes between government troops and leftist rebels in a southern Philippine province, authorities said today.

Two soldiers and a nine-year old civilian as well as five New People's Army rebels died in a series of encounters in the towns of Mabini and Monkayo in Compostela Valley, according to Lieutenant Vilma Mojado, information officer of the 1001st Infantry Brigade.

At least 30 gunmen of the leftist NPA detonated an improvised landmine and fired upon a patrol of army rangers in Mabini at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday local time, sparking a fire fight that killed five guerrillas.

"Residents reported they have seen the fleeing rebels carrying the bodies of their five slain comrades on hammocks," Mojado said. She added another group of soldiers from a separate army unit also came under fire at Kidaraan community, in nearby Anitapan village at around 6:40 p.m.

A nine-year old boy died while another child, a 13-year old boy was wounded after being fired at by soldiers at Kidaraan.

In Monkayo town, a militiaman was also killed and another hurt as NPA rebels attacked a militia outpost in the village of Casoon past 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Col. Angelito de Leon, provincial army commander, said pursuit operations were launched against the attackers.

The 4,000-strong NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is fighting a leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces since 1969.