2 killed as leftist rebels attack mayor's convoy in Misamis Oriental

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Two people were killed late yesterday when leftist rebels attacked a convoy of a local candidate for next month's election in Mindanao, police said Sunday.

Ruthie Guingona, mayor of Gingoog city in Misamis Oriental province, and wife of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, was also injured during the 11 p.m. attack at Binakakalan village, Gingoog City, Henry Legazpi, investigator of Gingoog police said.

The local official's convoy, which was protected by six policemen, was on its way back to the city proper after attending a village fiesta when attacked by armed men believed to be New People's Army guerrillas.

Two of the mayor's supporters were killed while a police escort was slightly wounded in a brief fire fight, said Legazpi.

The mayor suffered non-life threatening injuries in the leg after her vehicle was  crashed following the gun fight,

The rebels on Sunday claimed the attack.

Jorge Madlos alias Oris, the NPA spokesperson for Mindanao, told local radio his men did not target the politician but were forced into a fire fight after being fired at first by her police escorts.

Madlos said members of the NPA's Front Committee 4-B were conducting checkup at a checkpoint in the area when Guingona's group passed by and her security escorts opened fire. He also apologized to the mayor and to the families of the slain civilians.