MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine troops backed by artillery and air support have killed three Muslim militants from the same group suspected in a deadly ambush on soldiers two months ago, a military spokesman said Wednesday.
Army special forces battled about 50 Abu Sayyaf gunmen in a series of clashes Tuesday in southern Basilan province, said Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc. He said six militants also were wounded and there were no government casualties.
He told reporters that soldiers launched an operation against the militants after villagers informed them of the group's presence. Troops recovered an unexploded home-made bomb and several firearms at a school.
The same group was allegedly responsible for the attack in November that killed six soldiers guarding a major road project in the island province, about 900 kilometers (560 milies) south of Manila, Cabunoc said.
The extremist group has been blamed for numerous bomb attacks and kidnappings of local villagers and foreigners in the south. The militants are still holding about 10 hostages, including one of two European birdwatchers kidnapped two years ago.
The Abu Sayyaf number about 300 and remain a major security threat in the country's south despite U.S.-backed Philippine military offensives. © Provided by Associated Press
0 comments: