Philippines ‘on verge’ of wiping out al-Qaida-linked rebels as gunbattles rage

GUNBATTLES between al-Qaida-linked guerrillas and the Philippine military in the south killed at least one marine and wounded 24 troops, the military said yesterday, as the country’s president said the government was on the verge of wiping out the militants.

Philippine marines clashed with Abu Sayyaf militants in Jolo island’s Patikul town, killing an unknown number of rebels, marine spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Caculitan said. Earlier, five marines were hurt fighting 80 guerrillas led by Radulan Sahiron, a one-armed Abu Sayyaf commander on Washington’s most-wanted terrorist list, he said.

The marines pursued the fleeing rebels and caught up with them outside Patikul town seven hours later.