18 killed in clashes between militants and soldiers in Philippines
Manila (dpa) - At least 17 Islamic militants and one soldier were killed in two separate clashes in the southern Philippines, military officials said Thursday.
Fifteen Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed in clash with government troops in a remote village in Indanan town on Jolo Island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila, according to Colonel Allan Arrojado, a regional taskforce commander.
Arrojado said the fighting erupted late Wednesday when patrolling army rangers encountered about 80 Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in the village of Buanza.
"We do not have any casualties," he said. "We are conducting pursuit operations today."
In the nearby island province of Basilan, two Abu Sayyaf rebels and a soldier were killed during a clash late Wednesday in the town of Sumisip, according to army Colonel Rolando Bautista.
"The firefight unfortunately resulted in one killed and one woundedon the government side," he said.
The Abu Sayyaf is the smallest but most violent Muslim rebel group in the southern Philippines. It is responsible for deadly terrorist attacks in the country and for several high profile kidnappings.
