ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government troops killed five Abu Sayyaf militants while 9 others, including 2 soldiers, were wounded in a gun battle Tuesday in the southern hinterland of Sulu, a security official said.
Troops from the army Scout Ranger initially encountered a big number of Abu Sayyaf led by Alhabsy Misaya at the village of Pugad Manaul, Panamao town, said Lt. Col. Franco Raphael Alano, acting spokesman of Western Mindanao Command.
Alano said the militants withdrew with undetermined casualties after the 30-minute gun battle.
He said fighting raged as blocking troops from the 1st Infantry Battalion tracked down the withdrawing Abu Sayyaf group, sparking an almost one-hour firefight.
"Bag packs and heavy bloodstains were noticed in the encounter site," Alano said.
Alano said the troops have pressed on its pursuit to rescue the remaining 27 hostages still in the captivity of Abu Sayyaf group.
The Philippine military is conducting all-out operations against terrorists and extremists and it plans to defeat the terrorist groups in six months under President Rodrigo Duterte's order.
