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3 policemen abducted by leftist group in S. Philippines

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-02 16:44

MANILA -- Three policemen were abducted by gunmen suspected as members of the leftist New People's Army in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley, a military official said on Tuesday.

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The three policemen were seized Tuesday morning shortly after some 40 New People's Army members burned a dump truck in a town named Monkayo, Philippine TV GMA reported, citing a regional military spokesman Armand Rico.

Rico said the policemen went to the area after receiving information that the armed group burned the truck.

He said the policemen were overpowered by the gunmen and were eventually abducted.

Military forces are engaged in pursuit operations against the abductors, the spokesman said.

The abduction took place a day after the Philippine National Democratic Front called on the New People's Army to launch tactical offensives against the government in support of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Some radical members of the MILF are at war against government troops in southern Philippines.

Founded in 1968, the New People's Army has some 6,000 guerrilla fighters scattered around the Philippine archipelago to conduct petty surprise attacks against the government.