3 soldiers slain in clashes with Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Three soldiers and a militiaman were killed in fierce clashes Tuesday with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists in the restive southern province of Basilan in Mindanao.

Officials said the fighting erupted in Tuburan town where security forces were chasing after the ASG bandits, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State or the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.