Philippine soldiers killed “more than 10” Abu Sayyaf militants in an attempt to free Vietnamese captives held on a remote southern island as troops fired howitzer shells on rebel positions.
Major-General Carlito Galvez, Military Commander of Western Mindanao, said 32 soldiers were also wounded in Sunday’s assault on an Abu Sayyaf hideout in Talipao Town, where the militants were believed to be holding six Vietnamese captives.
There was no word on the fate of the captives.
Four of the wounded soldiers were airlifted to a hospital while 28, among them a battalion commander, had minor shrapnel wounds from grenade blasts.
Last month, five Malaysians were freed on Jolo and two Filipino sailors were rescued on nearby Basilan Island by soldiers chasing the Abu Sayyaf militant group. (Reuters)
