COTABATO, Philippines - Three members of government security forces were wounded in fresh attack staged by breakaway Muslim rebels Thursday night in the restive southern Philippines, a military official said Friday.

Col. Prudencio Asto, regional military spokesman, said followers of Ameril Umbra Kato of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters attacked a military detachment around 11:30 pm in the village of Bagan in Datu Unsay township, Maguindanao Province.

A 30-minute gun battle ensued, leaving three enlisted soldiers wounded, said Asto.

"Our troops managed to repel the rebels'harassment. Three of our soldiers sustained wounds but out of danger," the military official said.

On August 5, renegade rebels simultaneously harassed eight military positions in the province of Maguindanao.