1 killed, 3 injured in clash in S. Philippines

A soldier was killed while three others were injured in a clash against leftist rebels in southern Philippines Tuesday, according to a commander on Wednesday. Private First Class Marlon Basadre died during the two-hour encounter between troops of the army's 28th Infantry Battalion and some 60 New People's Army guerrillas in Lupon town, Davao Oriental province, according to Major Jacob Obligado, commander of the 10th civil military operation battalion. "The troops were on a security patrol in San Isidro village past 02:00 p.m. local time after residents reported the presence of armed men in the area when they chanced upon some 60 insurgents. Three other soldiers also sustained injuries while the enemy had an undetermined number of casualties," Obligado said. The military official said that pursuit operations continue against the rebels who fled after the incident.