(UPDATE) 3 soldiers killed, 2 hurt in clashes with rebels in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Three soldiers were killed and two others injured in separate clashes with the rebel group New People 's Army (NPA) in southern Philippines yesterday, military officials said today.

Ferdinand Tutanes, civil military operations officer of the Philippine Army's 30th Infantry Battalion, said a soldier died when government troops clashed with 30 NPA guerrillas in Payapag village, Bacuag town in Surigao del Sur province on Sunday morning.

Tutanes said the soldiers were in the area to check on reports that the NPA guerrillas were conducting extortion activities there when they engaged them in a 30-minute firefight.

The soldiers then pursued the rebels and re-engaged them at the same village on Sunday afternoon. The fighting resulted in the death of another soldier and the wounding of two others.

"There were also casualties on the side of the rebel group as evidenced by the heavy bloodstains along their routes of withdrawal," said Tutanes.

In another development, a soldier was also killed in a 35-minute firefight with NPA guerrillas in Consuelo village, Bunanawan town in Agusan del Sur province on Sunday morning.

Capt. Librado Olunan Jr., civil military officer of the Philippine Army's 75th Infantry Battalion, said government troops were conducting security operation in the area after receiving reports that the rebels were planning to harass commercial establishments in the area.