Leftist rebels capture 2 cops in Agusan

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Leftist rebels have captured anew two policemen in southern Philippines, authorities today said.

The latest in a spate of actions by New People's Army guerrillas happened late on Sunday in the town of Loreto in Mindanao island's Agusan del Sur province, according to Santiago Cane, provincial vice governor.

Cane identified those captured as Police Officers Ping Munez and Ian Espana, all members of Loreto town police.

The local official told Xinhua by text message the incident happened past 11 p.m. at Sitio (Sub-village) Moto, Poblacion village.

Local radio reports said the policemen were on their way back to station after serving an arrest warrant to a suspect who was able to elude them when undetermined number of NPA gunmen blocked their path and took them at gunpoint.

Cane said he has no other details yet as to what really happened as investigations were still going on.

The latest capture happened just a week of deadly clashes between government troops and NPA rebels elsewhere in Mindanao, leaving at least a dozen people dead.

Last month, rebels also seized a policeman in nearby Compostela Valley province, holding him captive for more than two weeks.