by Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
An Abu Sayyaf militant was killed and a soldier wounded in clashes between government forces and members of the Al-Qaeda-linked group in the southern island province of Sulu on Thursday, according to the Philippines military.
Troops from the Army 35th Infantry were patrolling when they encountered more than 50 heavily armed Abu Sayyaf men in the village of Sawaki, triggering a 30-minute gunfight, said Task Group Sulu commander, Colonel Alan Arrojado.
"There were two consecutive encounters. The first incident occurred at about 8 a.m. when the troops traded gunfire with militants and this was followed [by another incident], two hours after in the same village," he said in a text message to Anadolu Agency.
One Abu Sayyaf gunman was killed and a trooper was wounded during the firefight, while troops recovered two abandoned motorcycles, he said.
Arrojado said that reinforcements have been sent to the area, and possible kidnap victims had been seen with the group.
He did not divulge the names of hostages.
The Abu Sayyaf is reported to be holding several foreign and local hostages in Sulu, including Dutchman Elwood Horn - one of two foreign wildlife photographers seized by the Abu Sayyaf in Tawi-tawi in 2012 - and Mayor Gemma Adana of Naga town in Zamboanga village.
Adana was abducted from her home last month by men associated with the group.
It is also holding two public school teachers kidnapped March 15 in Barangay Moalboal in Talusan town, Zamboanga Sibugay.
The Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortions in a self-determined fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines.
It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.
