2 soldiers killed in Kalinga ambush

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Two soldiers died, while three were wounded in today's ambush by leftist rebels in Kalinga province.

According to Col. Loreto Magundayao, spokesman of the Army's 5th Infantry Division, soldiers from the 17th Infantry Battalion were escorting Commission on Elections (Comelec) personnel when they were attacked by New People's Army rebels in Bagumbayan village around 9:30 a.m. local time.

The soldiers, together with local police, were securing the Comelec staff who were on their way to Lubuagan town to deliver several Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines that will be used in Monday's midterm elections.

Magundayao said the soldiers and the policemen fought back, pushing the rebels to retreat with undetermined number of casualties.

"They (rebels) showed no compassion, these are election ( equipment), they should have postponed their atrocities," Magundayao said.

Despite the ambush, Magundayao said the soldiers and Comelec staff were able to deliver the PCOS machines to Lubuagan town.