PHILIPPINE Marine troops have clashed with a group of rebels that has allied with Abu Sayyaf bandits in the island province of Sulu, a military official said Sunday.

Major Ramon David Hontiveros, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman, said the troops have killed a rebel and recovered an M16 rifle in the firefight, which erupted around 6:45 a.m. Saturday in the village of Patibulan, Panamao town.

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Hontiveros said the troops were strengthening the defenses of villages in Panamao town when they received report about the presence of Habier Malik’s group that allied with the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.

Hontiveros said the firefight ensued when the marine troops were attacked by the group when they checked the veracity of the reported presence of fully-armed rebels in Patibulan village.

He said one of Malik’s followers was killed. The body of the killed rebel was abandoned by his comrades who fled to different directions.

Hontiveros said an M16 Armalite rifle was recovered by the troops when they conducted a clearing operation after the firefight.

“The Wesmincom was able to reduce the combat capabilities of terrorist groups in Sulu Saturday morning,” Hontiveros said.

“The Marines pursued the gunmen, who continued to suffer casualties as they withdrew,” he added.

No casualty was reported on the side of the Marine troops based in Sulu.

Major General Benjamin Mohammad Dolorfino, Wesmincom chief, earlier said that Malik and his men are treated as bandits since they have allied with the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province.