[ADN Kronos] At least 43 people have been killed in clashes between Muslim separatist militants and government forces on a remote island in the southern Philippines, an army commander said on Thursday. Maj Gen Benjamin Dolorfino said 400 troops had launched attacks on a camp belonging to Abu Sayyaf rebels on the southern island of Basilan. He said soldiers recovered home made bombs and 13 weapons.At least 30 guerillas were killed in the military assault and troops were scouring the area to see if two targeted Abu Sayyaf leaders had been killed.
The troops launched "a decisive law enforcement operation" targeting the Abu Sayyaf's main training camp in the province, the military said. The army suffered heavy losses in the conflict and some analysts have already suggested the military offensive will do little to neutralise the strength of the rebel group in the predominantly Muslim south of the Philippines.