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Philippine Troops Kill 7 Abu Sayyaf Rebels VOA News 13 Feb 2002 12:19 UTC 
Philippine troops have killed seven people said to belong to the Abu Sayyaf separatist group in a gunbattle on the island of Jolo.
Philippine military spokesman Captain Noel Detoyato said Wednesday troops in the town of Patikul, on southern Jolo Island, engaged in a skirmish with members of the Muslim Abu Sayyaf separatist group. He said no soldiers died in the 20 minute battle.
In related violence Tuesday, three gunmen loyal to detained Muslim leader Nur Misuari were killed in clashes with Philippines troops in Basilan province, where the Abu Sayyaf are holding two American missionaries and one Philippina nurse as hostages.
The U.S. military has recently begun working with the Philippine army to fight terrorist activity linked to the Abu Sayyaf, which is fighting for a separate Muslim state and has been linked to the terrorist group al-Qaida.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and DPA.
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