Philippines: 10 dead and 19 injured as army clashes with Abu Sayyaf rebels
At least 10 people died and another 19 were injured in clashes between the Philippines army and Abu Sayyaf rebels in the Sulu province in southern Philippines, officials said Friday.
Fighting began at around 3 p.m. on Thursday when soldiers of the 45th Infantry Battalion clashed with around 130 Abu Sayyaf insurgents in Patikal in Sulu Province.
Filemon Tan, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, where the operation took place, said one soldier had been killed in the encounter, while another 6 were wounded.
Intelligence reports indicate nine rebels were killed and 13 were wounded, according to the spokesperson, who added that casualties could rise as the operation was still underway.
There was also heavy fighting between the army and 200 Abu Sayyaf rebels on Wednesday in the southern Basilan Island, although no casualties were reported.