The Philippine army clashed withMuslim rebels today leaving one soldier and a suspectedAbu Sayyaf guerrilla dead.
The army has stepped up operations in the last few monthsto eradicate the remnants of the group that claims to befighting for the establishment of an Islamic homeland in thesouthern Philippines, but whose key activity has beenkidnapping.
"It is not yet clear as to who was the leader of theselawless elements," Armed Forces Southern Command Chief,Lieutenant General Narciso Abaya said, adding that troops werepursuing around 20 suspected armed Muslim rebels.
Basilan, 900 kms south of Manila, is thestronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a group linked to the al Qaedanetwork of Osama bin Laden, blamed for September 11, 2001attacks in New York and Washington.
Separately, police officials said around 100 plain clothesofficers were tracking a group of Moro Islamic Liberation Frontguerrillas, who are suspected of a bombing that killed 13people in the province of Maguindanao on the southern island ofMindanao on Christmas Eve.