US sailor missing after Philippine ambush

MANILA, Philippines -- A U.S. Navy sailor is missing after gunmen ambushed a group of American Navy men on a mountain trek north of the Philippine capital Manila, officials said.

The five sailors "were ambushed by a group of eight armed people ... while descending Mount Pinatubo," a volcano 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of Manila, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

The statement said the gunmen had identified themselves as communist rebels.

There were no reports that any of the men were injured.

The statement said four of the five returned safely to base but "one of the American climbers is missing."

It said the five Americans had gone on a trek to the volcano accompanied by three Philippine navy personnel and local guides.

Brig.-Gen. Enrique Galang, police commander in the area, had earlier told Reuters there was no indication the gunmen had taken the American "because, otherwise, why would they let the others go?"

"It is possible he got separated from the others ... we are launching search operations," Galang said.

Galang said the gunmen disarmed the Philippine navy personnel before letting the group go. The U.S. sailors, who were not carrying weapons, are currently in the Philippines to take part in joint military exercises. The mountain trek was not part of the exercise.

Communist rebels are known to be active in the area around Mount Pinatubo.

Reuters contributed to this report.