phillipines clashesManila: Heavy fighting between Philippine government troops and rebels in the southern Philippines has resulted in the deaths of 26. Rebels launched a surprise attack to regain control of a captured jungle training camp.
Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, the regional military spokeswoman, said field reports showed 25 Abu Sayyaf rebels have been killed and 24 wounded. Philippine marines suffered 1 dead and 19 wounded.
The heavy exchange of rifle grenade and mortar fire erupted in a mountain area off southern Sulu province’s Patikul town then eased into sporadic exchanges of sniper shots, with reinforcement marines beating back about 100 Abu Sayyaf attackers, military officials said.
Abu Sayyaf, which is on a US list of terrorist organizations, has had links with foreign terrorist