Three Marines killed in Philippine Abu Sayyaf clash
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Buy SPH photosZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - Three Philippine Marines were killed and 10 wounded today in a clash with Al Qaeda-linked militants who hold several foreign hostages, the military said.
The troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 6 were deployed to a remote village on the southern island of Jolo to check intelligence reports about the presence there of Abu Sayyaf gunmen and their captives.
"The troops conducted a combat patrol to verify the reported presence of the kidnap victims in the area when they caught up with the Abu Sayyaf group, resulting in the encounter," said regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang.
He said three were killed and military helicopters evacuated the 10 injured.
