At least 7 soldiers killed in southern Philippines clash

At least 7 soldiers killed in southern Philippines clash

2011-07-29 07:32:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- At least seven Filipino soldiers were killed after clashing with rebel fighters in the southern region of the country, officials said Thursday.

The clashes occurred between Filipino Marines and Abu Sayaaf rebels at around 4:30 a.m. local time in the hinterlands of Patikul town in Sulu, which is an autonomous island province located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Phlippine Star reported.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, the troops under Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 were pursuing a small group of gunmen who were fleeing with a captive. As the pursuit continued, troops suddenly found themselves in the middle of the Abu Sayyaf's main base. They clashed with the group leaders Radullan Sahiron and Isnilon Hapilon for several hours.

At least seven marines lost there lives during the heavy fighting, while another 21 were also injured. Cabangbang said several rebel fighters were also killed during the battle. He said some Indonesians and Malaysians were also believed to be in the camp.

Air support was deployed, as the wounded have been transported to a trauma hospital inside the 3rd Marine Brigade in Camp Bautista in Barangay Busbus in Jolo town, but pursuit operations were ongoing, according to a Marine officer who spoke with the media outlet early Friday morning.

The troops were conducting an operation in search of 70-year-old Sahiron, the highest ranked rebel leader of the Abu Sayyaf group. The U.S. government has established a $1-million bounty award for the capture of Sahiron, while the U.S. State Department has offered a $5-million cash reward for the capture of Hapilon.

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