Twenty-three government troops and at least 20 militants were killed in a day of intensive fire-fight in southern Philippine jungles, the military said Thursday, Xinhua reported.
Hundreds of troops Wednesday stormed two camps of the Al Qaida- linked Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Basilan province. Sporadic fire-fight broke out pre-dawn and lasted until late night, military officials said.
The latest casualty count was disclosed by sources close to Brigate General Rustico Guerrero, commander of the Marine forces on the island of Basilan. The regional military authorities late Wednesday put the rebel death toll at 10 and did not mention government casualties.
The 340-member Abu Sayyaf is blamed for a series of terror attacks and kidnappings in the Philippines.
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