A soldier and eight Abu Sayyaf fighters have died after an attempt
to free hostages held by the Islamist militant group, the Philippine army said.
The clash took place in the southern Jolo island late on
Wednesday.
The army said Abu Sayyaf was holding several tourists who
were kidnapped from a resort in September.
Abu Sayyaf is the smallest but also the most radical of
Islamic separatist groups in the Philippines, and often carry out kidnappings
for ransom.
Philippine army spokesman Maj Filemon Tan told reporters
that soldiers had fought about 300 militants, who later fled into the interior
of the island.
"This is part of our focused military operation to free
foreign hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf," he said.
In September two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino were
kidnapped from a resort in Samal Island, also in the south of Philippines.
Credit: BBC
A video emerged the following month purportedly showing the
hostages, which came with a message from militants demanding an end to
artillery attacks and calling for negotiations.
The Philippine army has said it will not negotiate and
military offensives will continue.
Last month Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded a Malaysian
captive, reportedly due to a breakdown in negotiations for his release.
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