Philippine government forces say they have killed a number of Muslim guerrillas in a clash with Abu Sayyaf rebels on southern Jolo island.

Military officials in Zamboanga City said today that precise casualty reports are not yet available. They say government troops attacked Abu Sayyaf positions Sunday at a remote village near Patikul town. Five soldiers were killed in an ambush in the same area on Jolo island on Friday.

The Abu Sayyaf group has been linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network. The group is holding an American missionary couple and a Philippine nurse hostage north of Jolo on Basilan island.

Some information for this report provided by DPA and AFP.

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