ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed, including two government's soldiers and five Abu Sayyaf members, when marines encountered Thursday dawn a group of Abu Sayyaf gunmen in a town of Sulu island in southern Philippines, a security official said.
A marine was also wounded during the encounter where troops recovered several high-powered rifles, including a super sniper rifle from the Abu Sayyaf group.
The encounter came amid threat issued by the Abu Sayyaf to behead four local captive laborers if their 3 million pesos (59,000 U.S. dollars) ransom for the victims will not be delivered before 3 p.m. local time Thursday in the jungle of Sulu.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS), said his marine unit was on pursuit and rescue operation when they clashed with 30 heavily armed bandits about 4 a.m. local time at Sitio Langhub, Pang Village in the town of Kalingalang Caluang.
Fighting lasted for more than an hour which left five militants killed and several others wounded. However, two marines were also killed and another soldier was wounded in the encounter, said Sobejana.
There were no immediate sightings of the hostages who were believed to be kept away before the encounter. Sobejena assured his forces will sustain the pursuit operation against the Abu Sayyaf group to rescue all the hostages still in the captivity.
The Abu Sayyaf group earlier Thursday issued an ultimatum until 3 p.m. local time to the family of four captive laborers, who were seized last July 15 in Patikul town, to pay the ransom.
The military turned down any negotiation with the Abu Sayyaf group and vowed relentless pursuit will continue until all its members are crushed.
