Seven die in RP clash

Seven die in RP clash

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Seven people died as troops
clashed with gunmen who raided a southern Philippine resort four
days ago, with the gang's hostages escaping during the battle, a
military official said Saturday.

Meanwhile another gang of suspected Muslim rebels robbed a
ferry and took four passengers hostage, also in the southern
Philippines, a police official said.

The gunmen who raided one of the country's top tourist resorts
on Tuesday encountered pursuing troops on Friday, resulting in
the death of five raiders and two soldiers, military spokesman
Lieutenant Colonel Danilo Servando said.

Three hostages still held by the gunmen -- villagers seized in
the raid on Samal island's Pearl Farm resort for use as human
shields -- managed to escape during the fighting around Malita
town, Servando added.

Many of the other raiders, who are though to be Muslim rebels,
were also wounded in the fighting.

Meanwhile, gunmen police identified as Abu Sayyaf guerrillas
attacked a ferry off the waters of the southern island of Basilan
on Thursday, robbing the passengers and taking four of them as
hostages.