The jihad intensifies in the Philippines. “Twenty slain as soldiers, Muslim extremists battle in Philippines,” from AFP, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) – As many as 20 people are believed to have been killed as fighting between soldiers and members of an Al-Qaeda-linked Muslim militant group went into its third day in the southern Philippines on Sunday.
Heavy rains were hampering the military’s pursuit of members of the Abu Sayyaf on the outskirts of the town of Indanan in the southern island of Jolo, said Brigadier General Alexander Aleo, who heads an anti-terror task force on the island.
Aleo said the total number of soldiers killed had risen to four, with 21 others wounded.
Intelligence reports and radio intercepts revealed that 16 Abu Sayyaf members had been killed, although soldiers had only recovered three bodies, Aleo said.
The Abu Sayyaf, a feared Muslim outlaw group, has also received extra support from additional armed guerrillas as the troops advanced, Aleo said.