ASG gunman killed in Basilan clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Army soldiers killed on Sunday in the restive islandprovince of Basilan.

Army Captain Jo- ann Petinglay, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said soldiers from the 68th Infantry Battalion recovered the body of the slain mili

- rangay Abong-Abong in Maluso town, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, that the military dispatched airplanes to attack enemy targets and provide close air support to ground troops pursuing the militants.

The Army also deployed two more battalions—the 64th and 18th Infantry—and Special Forces soldiers to augment the troops fighting the Abu Sayyaf. The Petinglay said, adding, there was no report of military casualties.

“Air assets were deployed to the area to provide close air support to the engaged troops after more than support,” Petinglay added.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several hostages, mostly seamen whose ships had been hijacked off Basilan, just several nautical miles off Zamboanga City.