ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- A brief but heavy gunbattle erupted Friday that left at least 14 killed, including 10 Abu Sayyaf militants and 4 soldiers, in the mountain of Patikul town, Sulu Province, according to security official.
At least 9 soldiers were also wounded in the firefight, said Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command.
The military said the fierce fighting ensued when troops under the 35th Infantry Battalion attacked about 150 Abu Sayyaf militants at the village of Buhanginan, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf group in the strife province of Sulu.
The encounter came when a freed Filipino captive confirmed to authorities he saw several hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf group.
The military confirmed earlier that the Abu Sayyaf group is holding at least 22 captives, including a Dutch, German, 2 Indonesians, 5 Malaysians, 6 Vietnamese and 6 locals.
The military could not immediately say if all of the hostages are being held altogether in Sulu as there are reports the separate bandit group are holding the 6 Vietnamese sailors in Basilan.
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