BANGUED, Philippines (Xinhua) - Three government troopers were killed while three others were injured after local rebels ambushed a military truck in remote Licuan-Baay town in Abra province of northern Philippines on Saturday.

The three army troopers from the Abra-based 41st Infantry Battalion were shot dead immediately and the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, said Leon Talleo, spokesman of Cordillera police.

Government troops are now tracking down the ambushers in the hinterlands of Licuan Baay town and nearby towns in Abra and expect more skirmishes as rebels are very active in this part of the region.

Earlier, Diego Wadagan, speaking on behalf of the Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army denounced government military troopers for hiding behind the cloak of relief operations to launch attacks against rebels in Tineg, Lacub and Malibcong, all upland Abra towns.

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 the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country.