12 die in clashes between Filipino troops, Abu Sayyaf militants

Twelve people have been killed when army troops launched an offensive against al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines.

Military spokesman, Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan, said seven Filipino marines and five Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed on Saturday during a one-hour gun battle that erupted on the outskirts of the coastal town of Patikul in Sulu Province.

He added that nine other Filipino troops and 10 Abu Sayyaf militants were also wounded in the fierce fighting.

Meanwhile, government troops are combing the area to hunt down the gunmen at large, who were reportedly led by militant commander, Julaswan Sawadjaan.

Sulu's military commander, Colonel Jose Cenabre, said one of Sawadjaan’s sons was believed to have been killed in the firefight.

Sawadjaan's men are held accountable for a series of kidnappings for ransom, including a Jordanian journalist and two European tourists who are still being held captive, in the southern Philippines.

Last week, they abducted the wife of a Filipino marine. The woman used to work in a Sulu provincial hospital.

The gunmen also recently kidnapped two government employees. The abductees were later released. It was not clear whether any ransom was paid.

Abu Sayyaf group remains a major threat to the Philippines security. It is responsible for a recent wave of abductions as well as attempts to sabotage a road project in the southern Philippines.
Source: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/25/305353/clashes-kill-12-in-southern-philippines/