3 alleged leftist rebels nabbed in Philippines

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Three suspected leftist rebels were apprehended following a clash with government troops in southern Philippines early on Tuesday, the military said Wednesday.

The suspects, believed to be members of the New People's Army's Milisya ng Bayan, (People's Militia) were nabbed after a brief encounter between government troops and leftist guerrillas in San Lorenzo village in Mindanao's Agusan del Sur province at around 7 am, said Lieutenant Colonel Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesperson of the army's 4th Infantry Division.

"Elements from the army's 29th Infantry Battalion conducting blocking patrol in the guerrillas'possible route of withdrawal found the suspects inside three makeshift huts in nearby Mabuhay village," said Osias.

He said no casualty was reported on both sides following the five-minute fire fight.

The military spokesperson said troops also recovered from the suspects a U.S.-made Thompson submachine gun, a 12-gauge shotgun, pieces of ammunition and communication paraphernalia.

"Based on the initial interview on the suspects, it was found out their unit was responsible for rebel recruitment in the locality," said Osias, adding filing of charges against them were now underway with the help of local police.

The 4,000-strong NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is fighting a 43-year leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces.