A nurse attends to a wounded soldier at a military hospital Friday in Zamboanga City. Clashes between troops and suspected al Qaida-linked militants have killed at least 57 people and wounded 42 others on southern Jolo island this week, the military said. (AP photo)
MANILA -- Successive clashes between government forces and Abu Sayyaf guerillas and their sympathizers show that the military is "now gaining ground and closing in on them," Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Friday.
Esperon, interviewed at the 44th Foundation Anniversary and Alumni Homecoming of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, said they would continue their operations in Basilan and Sulu until all members of the Abu Sayyaf are accounted for.
CEBU CITY -- A barangay captain seeking a seat in the barangay’s council in the October elections was shot dead after attending a court hearing in Danao City Friday morning.
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The military's Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) strengthened security measures to prevent the entry of contrabands in the island province of Basilan.
