COTABATO, Philippines, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Suspected leftist guerrillas killed a village official and two government soldiers in an ambush Wednesday in the restive southern Philippines, the military said.
The victims were heading to an area in Monkayo Township, Compostella Valley province on a motorcycle to meet other local officials when they were ambushed at the village of Banlag in the morning, said regional military spokesman Major Randolph Cabangbang.
The latest attacks, blamed by the military on the New People's Army, happened as Manila and the rebel organization are preparing for the resumption of their peace talks.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades. Military estimates placed the NPA strength at around 5,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country.
Peace talks between the government and the leftists bogged down in 2004 after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations.
The military is aiming to solve the leftist insurgency problem next year based on the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
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