MANILA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Philippine troops opened fire at policemen on Monday, killing six policemen and injuring six more in a misencounter in the central Philippine province of Samar, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

The provincial police said the incident happened around 9:27 a.m. in Santa Rosa, a village in Villareal town in Samar.

The police were reportedly conducting minor combat operation in the area when they were fired upon by the Army troops.

Details of the incident are still scant. But the PNP in the province has already launched an investigation into the shootout.