Soldier killed in Philippines clash

A soldier was killed and six were wounded Monday in a clash with rebels in Zamboanga city in the Philippines, the military said.

The skirmish broke out when around 100 rebels of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) swooped down at the coastal village of Rio Hondo around 1.30 a.m., Xinhua cited the military as saying.

Armed Forces public information office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala confirmed that a patrolling soldier died in the incident.

The clash took place weeks after MNLF leader Nur Misuari declared independence of Mindanao island.

Misuari is opposed to the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.