(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) nila April 12 - Five rebels and two soldiers were killed and several wounded on both sides during clashes in the southern Philippines military officials said Saturday. About 200 soldiers in pursuit of the Abu Sayyaf group commander Puruji Indama battled with the guerrillas on Basilan island Friday. "Updated reports received from adjacent communities states that the Abu Sayyaf sustained five killed and several others wounded" said Captain Rowena Muyuela spokeswoman of the Western Mindanao Command. "Government forces suffered 28 wounded in action and two killed in action" she said. Indama's group was responsible for extorting project contractors building a highway the military said. Residents in the area were displaced due to the fighting. The Islamist separatist group active in the southern region has been linked with kidnappings extortion and robbery
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