Philippines government troops have killed at least five Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebels in ongoing jungle fighting on a remote southern island.
The fighting occurred around dawn on Basilan island, about 56 miles south of Manila.
Colonel Roland Detabali, chief of military operations in the south said his troops, on a search and destroy mission, discovered the guerrillas in Tipo-Tipo town on Basilan, the scene of several clashes since the rebels kidnapped three Americans and 17 Filipinos from a southwestern beach resort on May 27th.
"At least five (rebels) were killed, but the death toll could be higher because radio intercepts indicated more gunmen have been wounded in the fighting. Running gunbattles still continue until midmorning," Colonel Detabali said.
He said troops recovered weapons, mostly rifles, and backpacks left behind by fleeing guerrillas.
The Abu Sayyaf, with suspected links to Osama bin Laden, claim they are Muslim independence fighters. The government dismisses them as mere bandits.
Some of the hostages have been freed after allegedly paying ransoms. Others escaped and a few have been killed, including Guillermo Sobero of Corona, California. His remains were found in a Basilan jungle in early October.
Still held are missionaries Gracia and Martin Burnham of Wichita, Kansas.
AP