1 soldier killed, 2 others hurt in Basilan clash

A member of the elite Army Scout Rangers was killed while two of his comrades were wounded following a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, an Army spokesman said Wednesday. About 5:45 a.m., patrolling government soldiers chanced upon 50 bandits in the forested area in Macalang village in Al Barka town, triggering a firefight, said Major Harold Cabunoc, acting chief of the Philippine Army's public affairs. The firefight lasted for three hours, with the bandits fleeing to different directions, Cabunoc said. The wounded soldiers were brought to a local hospital for treatment, he added. Additional troops have been deployed by Col. Alexander Macario, commander of Special Task Force Basilan. — RSJ, GMA News