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.