Gunmen kill 3 soldiers, wound 13 in Philippines

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Gunmen kill 3 soldiers, wound 13 in Philippines

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The gunmen were believed to be gangsters unleashed by politicians, army official said.

09 August,2012 09:41 am

Heavily armed men have opened fire on an army patrol near a sprawling university in the southern Philippines, killing three soldiers and wounding 13 other people.Army Col. Daniel Lucero says soldiers were traveling on a truck near Mindanao State University in predominantly Muslim Marawi city late Wednesday when about 15 gunmen raked the patrolling troops with rifle fire. The soldiers returned fire and wounded several of the attackers, who fled from the scene.Lucero says three soldiers were killed and 10 others were wounded, along with three passing motorists.Lucero said Thursday that the gunmen were believed to be gangsters unleashed by politicians who wanted to harass the military for backing government efforts to prevent fraud in next years local elections.