Extremists kill nine in RP

Extremists kill nine in RP

JOLO, Philippines (AP): Muslim extremists, apparently avenging a comrade's death, opened fire on a passenger van on Sunday in a remote southern town, killing six soldiers and three civilians, officials said.

Nine other army soldiers riding in the van were injured in the attack by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in Jolo island's mountainous town of Talipao, officials said.

Asakil Alpain, one of the wounded soldiers, said they were aboard a commuter van on their way back to their barracks in the nearby town of Panglima Estino when about 100 rebels, armed with rifles and grenade launchers, fired at them from both sides of the road.

The first volley of rebel fire instantly killed six soldiers and three civilians aboard the van, including a pregnant woman. The rebels withdrew into a forest when army reinforcements arrived, military officials said.