RP military kill three rebels

RP military kill three rebels

JOLO, Philippines (AP): Government troops killed three Muslim extremists on Monday in the first clash since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared "all-out war" on the rebels a week ago, military officials said.

Gen. Romeo Dominguez, commander of the assault on the Abu Sayyaf band in the south, said one soldier was also injured as troops stormed a rebel hide-out before dawn Monday.

Dominguez said the remaining rebels fled the military assault, leaving behind dozens of assault rifles, machine-guns and some radio equipment.

Thousands of troops have been pursuing the Abu Sayyaf, thought to number 1,200, since April 2 when they first threatened to behead a U.S. captive as a "birthday gift" to Arroyo, who turned 54 on April 5. Arroyo responded with an order of "all-out war."