53 killed in major battle in Philippines

MANILA: A battle pitting Philippine troops against Muslim guerrillas on a remote southern island killed at least 53 people, the military said yesterday, but analysts said the clash is unlikely to have sidelined the rebels.

More than 400 marines, army and police commandos on Wednesday stormed the hilltop camps on Basilan Island in raids targeting about 150 Abu Sayyaf militants led by two terror suspects wanted for a series of bomb attacks and kidnappings, said navy chief Vice Adm Ferdinand Golez.

Heavy fighting ensued when a unit of marine reinforcements met up with a large group of fleeing militants, Golez said.