Colombia: 3 police officers killed in rebel attack

The ambush near the Pacific port of Tumaco, about 600 kilometers (375 miles) southwest of Bogota, close to the Ecuadorean border, comes with security forces on alert ahead of Sunday's presidential election.

Photo: Colombia: 3 police officers killed in rebel attack

"It was a surprise attack Wednesday morning against the police, but troops and helicopter gunships were immediately sent to help the agents," said Gen. Alberto Ruiz, director of operations for the police. He blamed rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, the AP reports.

FARC rebels also were suspected in an attempt on a military base in the central city of Villavicencio, 75 kilometers (45 miles) southeast of the capital.

According to Gen. Guillermo Quinones who runs the military base, two gas cylinders were fired from the back of a truck against the base. No one was injured in the attack, but the explosions shattered the windows of the surrounding buildings.