7 soldiers killed in S Philippine clash

Seven soldiers died and five others were wounded in Thursday's clash between military and suspected Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippine province of Basilan. Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of Western Mindanao Command, said the Abu Sayyaf militants initially harassed the military detachment in Upper Cabengbeng, Sumisip town at about 7: 30 a.m. local time. The soldiers were pursuing the first group that initially harassed the army detachment when they bumped into the bigger enemy group. The fighting continued as the troops pursue the militants. Those killed and wounded were retrieved and airlifted to the military base in the city. According to Cabangbang, the ground troops believed that the group it encountered was the same group responsible in an attack early this month against rubber plantation workers which left six people killed.