MANILA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- The military said rebels ambushed troops in northern Philippines on Thursday morning, killing two soldiers and wounding another.
Army spokesperson Captain Rigor Pamittan said another soldier was missing after the attack.
Pamittan said the soldiers were helping earthquake victims in Malibcong town in northern Abra province on the main Luzon island when the New People's Army (NPA) rebels attacked.
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Abra province late Tuesday night, damaging scores of houses and buildings, including century-old churches in the region. The tremor also injured almost 40 people.
NPA rebels have been fighting the government since 1969. They concentrate their attacks on rural areas and have skirmishes with the military.
Military data showed that the NPA is estimated to have 2,000 members, significantly lower than its peak strength in the 1980s. ■