- BASILAN, Philippines: Abu Sayyaf gunmen disguised as policemen detonated bombs and fired at civilians Tuesday in Isabela City in the southern province of Basilan, triggering clashes that killed at least 15 people, officials said.
Officials said soldiers clashed with at least six gunmen who were transporting improvised explosives in a van. The fighting, which broke out at around 10 a.m., left five people dead — two soldiers and three gunmen.
A motorcycle bomb exploded 30 minutes later outside a Catholic church and killed one civilian and wounded several more.
The other gunmen escaped after holding several civilians and using them as human shields. Some of them were killed, including a policeman who tried to rescue the hostages.
Security forces were pursuing the Abu Sayyaf gunmen, but the fate of the hostages remains unknown.
an ambush by suspected Abu Sayyaf and Moro rebels in Ungkaya Pukan town outside Isabela City.
