Five killed in rebel attack in Philippines

Davao City (Philippines): Five people were killed following an attack by leftist rebels on a police station in the Philippines, authorities said Monday.

Two soldiers and an insurgent were killed in a gun battle Sunday after the New People`s Army (NPA) militants attempted to seize the Mati City police station in Davao Oriental province around 7.30 p.m. local time, Xinhua reported, citing a spokesperson of the army.

Dozens of leftist rebels in military uniforms arrived at the station onboard a truck and started a firefight with policemen, the official said.

"(New People`s Army) bandits attempted but failed to seize the police station. Police on duty defended their station and thwarted the attack," the spokesperson said, adding that troops from the army`s 701st Infantry Brigade pursued the fleeing rebels that led to the death of the two soldiers and an insurgent.

The rebels detonated a landmine, killing the two soldiers and wounding five others.

A policeman and a rebel were also killed when NPA militants attacked policemen guarding the city bus terminal.

The 4,000-strong NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting an insurgency in the country since 1969.