3 militants killed, 10 marines wounded in south Philippines clashes
At least three Abu Sayyaf militants have been killed in an exchange of gunfire with Philippine government forces in the Southeast Asian country’s southern province of Sulu.
Provincial military commander Brigadier General Alan Arrojado said marines were conducting a patrol on Friday, when they encountered a group of 300 militants near a forested hill in the remote Patikul township, located 950 kilometers (590 miles) south of the capital, Manila.
The two sides then turned on each other, with the army soldiers firing at least four mortar shells at Abu Sayyaf positions. Ten government troopers were also injured in the process.
On August 19, at least 15 Abu Sayyaf militants were killed as government forces used artillery fire to confront about a hundred members of the group in Indanan town on the southern island of Jolo.
The clashes were triggered after the army launched a large-scale security operation to rescue hostages held by the militant group in the region.
Arrojado said the government forces suffered no casualties during the encounter.
Abu Sayyaf, which reportedly has about 400 militants, was founded in the 1990s with funding from al-Qaeda.
The militant group targets foreigners and often resorts to kidnappings for ransom. According to the Philippine military, the group is currently holding at least seven hostages.
Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for a number of terrorist attacks in the recent history of the Philippines, including the 2004 bombing of a ferry that left more than 100 people dead. It is also responsible the abduction of foreign missionaries and tourists and the beheading of local people.
The group seeks to establish an independent homeland in the troubled southern part of the Philippines.
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