Philippines Vows to ‘Destroy’ Militants Who Killed 18 Troops

Philippine military officials vowed Sunday to “destroy” the Abu Sayyaf extremist group with more offensives after fierce fighting over the weekend left 18 soldiers dead in the government’s largest single-day combat loss so far this year.

The Kaumpurnah mosque in Basilan island on June 2001. Islam in southern Philippines was introduced by Arab missionaries before the 16th century, while Christianity was brought later by the Spanish. While the two religions co-existed, Christianity made inroads in the Islamic south pushing Muslims inland. The land conflict erupted into a full blown separatist rebellion in the late 1970s. The seccesionist movement continued even after a peace agreement was signed in 1997 between the dominant rebel group, Moro National Liberation Front, and the government. Romeo Gacad/AFP/Getty Images

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine military officials vowed Sunday to “destroy” the Abu Sayyaf extremist group with more offensives after fierce fighting over the weekend left 18 soldiers dead in the government’s largest single-day combat loss so far this year.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and top military officials flew to the south to meet most of the 53 soldiers who were wounded in fighting with Abu Sayyaf militants that raged for nearly 10 hours Saturday in the hinterlands on Basilan island. At least five militants, including a Moroccan fighter, were killed, the military said.

The large number of casualties were reported as the Philippines marked the Day of Valor Saturday to remember Filipino veterans who died in World War II.

“After we grieve for our soldiers, we shall continue the fight,” Gazmin and the military said in a joint statement.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano said the military aims to “finally destroy the Abu Sayyaf, especially now that we have found the exact location of the group.”

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