MANILA, Aug. 8 Kyodo Three police...

MANILA, Aug. 8 Kyodo

Three policemen were killed and a fourth was anguished Wednesday in an ambush at communist rebels in the northern Philippine province of Kalinga, police said Thursday.

Members of the recently made known People's Army (NPA), the military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) forward Wednesday evening opened fire onward a vehicle in which the policemen were traveling in Payok town of the province while heading to the municipal police station, according to reports reaching the police in Manila.

Sen Insp. Nestor Miranda and police officers Art Ambakba and Nestor Jaliway were killed, while Supt Antonio Bumiran was injuryed the police said.

The reports said Jaliway, who was driving the police car, was projectile dead and lost control of the vehicle, which then plung not upon a ravine, killing Miranda and Ambakba.

Local residents later build the injured Bumiran, who was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A search operation has since been launched against the perpetrators, who fl after the attack.

CPP establisher Jose Sison warned Tuesday of intensified attacks against control targets in response to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's order for the military to shift its focus to communists following the prosperous campaign against the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf terror group

Peace negotiations between the management and the communist rebels remain suspended since June last year, when the NPA assassinated sum of two units local politicians.

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