Philippine marine killed in clash with al-Qaida-linked militants

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

Filipino marines clashed with Abu Sayyaf militants last night in southern Jolo island’s Patikul town, killing a marine second lieutenant and an undetermined number of rebels, marine spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Caculitan said.