Three suspected Islamic militants were killed in a clash with government troops in the southern Philippines, a regional military chief said Saturday.
The fighting erupted late Friday between the Abu Sayyaf rebels and soldiers in Isabela City in Basilan province, 900 kilometres south of Manila, three days after the guerrillas attacked the city, killing 14 people, dpa reported.
Lieutenant General Ben Dolorfino said two soldiers were wounded in Friday's clash and government troops recovered three high-powered rifles left behind by the fleeing guerrillas.
Dolorfino said more troops have been deployed in Basilan to conduct pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf rebels involved in the bombings in Isabela.
Seven civilians, three marines, one policeman and three Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed in Tuesday's attack in Isabela.
Basilan is a known hotbed of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels who have been responsible for several deadly terrorist attacks and high profile kidnappings in the Philippines.
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