Filipino soldiers unloading the bodies of rebels from a military truck in Jolo, Sulu province, in southern Philippines, yesterday. At least 20 Islamic militants and a soldier were killed in two separate clashes in the southern Philippines, military officials said. Fifteen Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in a remote village in Indanan town on Jolo Island, 1,000km south of Manila, according to Colonel Allan Arrojado, a regional task force commander. He said the fighting erupted when patrolling army rangers encountered about 80 Abu Sayyaf guerillas in the village of Buanza. The Philippine military said that separately, fighting in neighbouring Basilan island on Wednesday left five Abu Sayyaf members and one soldier killed.