Philippine Army Attacks Guerrilla Positions
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines — Philippine forces bombarded Muslim rebels on a southern island Sunday in retaliation for an ambush of soldiers, killing an unspecified number of guerrillas allegedly linked to Osama bin Laden, the army said.
Army spokesman Major Noel Detoyato said troops fired howitzers at Abu Sayyaf positions on Jolo island after a guerrilla ambush Friday in which six Filipino soldiers were killed.
“There was an undetermined number killed among the Abu Sayyaf,” Detoyato said.
The latest fighting between the Philippine army and the rebel group coincided with the arrival of more U.S. troops and equipment in Zamboanga on Mindanao island for joint military exercises.
The United States says Abu Sayyaf is linked with Bin Laden, but the ties are unclear.
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