TWO Marine soldiers were wounded in an attack staged by Abu Sayyaf bandits in the island province of Sulu, a military official said Tuesday.

Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman Major Ramon David Hontiveros said the attack took place around 2:45 p.m. Monday in sitio Talatak, Barangay Bato-Bato in Indanan town.

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Hontiveros said the Marine troops were manning an observation post in sitio Talatak, Bato-Bato when undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf bandits attacked them.

Hontiveros withheld the identities of the wounded Marine soldiers except in saying they were slightly injured and were brought to Trauma Hospital at Camp Bautista in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province.

He said the troops stood firm on their positions and repelled the Abu Sayyaf attackers, dragging along with them their casualties.

"The firefight lasted for about five minutes and the terrorists (Abu Sayyafs) were forced to withdraw dragging their numerous casualties," he said.

The government forces have strengthened the security measures following the series of atrocities perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.

Monday's firefight came two days after a clash ensued between the government forces and rebels that allied with the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the village of Patibulan, Panamao town.

The troops have killed a rebel and recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle during the firefight that ensued around 6:45 a.m. Saturday.