PHILIPPINES FORCES KILL 15 ISLAMIST MILITANTS TO RESCUE CAPTIVES

Philippine security forces killed at least 15 al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants in an attempt to rescue foreign captives on a remote southern island, an army general said as Manila redoubled an offensive against Muslim rebels. There was no immediate word on the fate of 10 foreign and Filipino hostages believed to be in the custody of Abu Sayyaf militants on Jolo island. Brigadier-General Alan Arrojado, commander of military units on Jolo island, said they fired several howitzer rounds as US-trained army commandos battled about 100 Abu Sayyaf militants near another rebel stronghold in the town of Indanan. No army casualties were reported.