14 marines killed in clash with militants
From Times Wire Reports
Muslim insurgents ambushed a Philippine marine convoy, killing at least 14 troops and beheading at least 10 of them, a military spokesman said. The marines were searching for a kidnapped Italian priest.
The battle took place in dense jungle on southern Basilan island. The government has touted Basilan as a success story in the war on terrorism since U.S. troops carried out training exercises there in 2001 to help oust the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.
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