3 dead in ComVal clash

MANILA, Philippines - Two suspected communist insurgents and a soldier were killed in an encounter in Pantukan, Compostela Valley province Sunday.

The military withheld the name of the slain soldier until after his family is notified.

The firefight erupted when a band of suspected New People’s Army guerrillas led by a certain Commander Maruz ambushed a group of soldiers from the Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Napnapan, according to Lt. Col. Eduardo Gubat, spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command.

Gubat said the firefight also left six rebels wounded.

The military said the rebels fled, taking with them their dead and wounded comrades.