Philippine troops kill 3 militants, rescue trader
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MANILA, SEP 20 -
Dozens of army troops killed three Abu Sayyaf militants and rescued a kidnap victim in the southern Philippines, while a 7-year-old girl was freed unharmed after negotiations with another group of gunmen, officials said Tuesday.
The rescued businesswoman, Luisa Galvez, an army soldier and at least seven militants were wounded in the gunbattle Monday on Basilan Island, regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said.
Three army platoons were searching for gunmen when they stumbled on Abu Sayyaf militants, setting off a clash that killed three militants. The others fled and troops later found Galvez abandoned, Cabangbang said.
"The soldiers were unaware that the Abu Sayyaf men were holding a hostage in the area," Cabangbang said.
The stunned Galvez, who was slightly wounded in the leg, was taken to a military camp, he said. Troops were pursuing the fleeing militants in predominantly Muslim Basilan, the birthplace and a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf located about 550 miles (880 kilometers) south of Manila.
Galvez, 34, was seized Sept. 4 by three gunmen who posed as customers at her beauty salon in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay province, police said.
Desperate for funds, the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf has resorted to kidnappings, targeting people who struggle to pay ransom. Last year the group carried out at least 11 kidnappings and raised about $704,000 in ransom, according to a confidential government report seen by The Associated Press in February.
They killed at least six hostages whose families failed to pay for their release, the report said.
The Abu Sayyaf, which has close to 400 fighters, remains without a central leader after several of its top commanders were killed or captured by troops in recent years. Its two biggest factions are based in Basilan and in nearby Sulu province.
The Abu Sayyaf still holds two Americans of Philippine descent, an Indian, a Malaysian and a Japanese convert to Islam.
Meanwhile, an army statement said gunmen released unharmed a 7-year-old girl Monday night after nearly nine hours of captivity in North Cotabato, a southern province where other Muslim rebel groups and kidnap gangs are active.
The girl and her mother were walking near their home in Pikit township when two gunmen grabbed the child, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza said.
The army said no ransom was paid and the release took place after troops backed by armored vehicles cordoned off and searched the area while the town mayor's wife negotiated with the kidnappers.
Gunmen disguised as policemen also abducted a farm supply store owner in southern Cagayan de Oro City on Monday.
The kidnappers barged into the store, disarmed a guard and took Manuel Boniao at gunpoint. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, police said.
Posted on: 2011-09-20 09:25
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