Philippine troops kill 6 Muslim rebels: Military

Manila, Feb 26: US-trained Philippine troops killed at leastsix suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebel group in clasheson a remote southwestern island, military officials said today.

Thirteen members of the elite Scout Rangers were wounded in thegun battle yesterday in a village on Jolo, a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf,the deadliest of four Muslim rebel groups in the largely Catholiccountry.

With the help of around 100 US advisors and equipment, Philippinesoldiers have killed Abu Sayyaf's top two commanders and have vowed tocrush the organisation, which has links with regional militant groupJemaah Islamiah.

Since it started its offensive against Abu Sayyaf in August 2006,the Philippine military says nearly 80 out of an estimated 400 rebelshave been killed and a dozen have been captured. About 30 soldiers havebeen killed and more than 100 wounded.

Reuters >