1 suspected rebel dead, 3 soldiers hurt in Compostela clash

A suspected communist rebel was killed while three Army soldiers were wounded following a clash in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley Tuesday morning, the chief of the Philippine Army said. Citing reports reaching him, Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said the clash between elements of the 5th Scout Ranger Company and 40 New People's Army (NPA) rebels erupted 7 a.m. in Barangay Paloc in Maragusan town. The clash ended after almost an hour, Ortiz said. The wounded soldiers were identified as SSgt Reynan Lumiguid, PFC Jonald Pajaron and Private Roland Dologmanding. The identity of the slain rebel was unknown as of posting time. Ortiz said the operating troops recovered four improvised explosive devices, foodstuff, subversive documents and assorted ammunition from the rebels who fled towards unknown direction. Government troops have since conducted pursuit operations, Ortiz said. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Peace talks with the mainstream communist group have been stalled since August 2004. — RSJ, GMANews.TV