January 21, 2002, AFP, Three communist rebels injured, captured in southern Philippines,

January 21, 2002, AFP, Three communist rebels injured, captured in southern Philippines,

MANILA, Jan 21 (AFP) -

Three communist guerrillas have been wounded and captured during a clash with soldiers in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, the military said Monday.

The rest of the New People's Army (NPA) unit fled following the 15-minute firefight near the town of Kapalong on Saturday, leaving behind three wounded comrades, a military spokesmen here said.

Army infantrymen involved in the fight suffered no casualties, they added.

President Gloria Arroyo suspended peace talks with the rebel leadership last year after the 12,000-member NPA assassinated about a dozen government officials including two members of Congress.