November 25, 2000, PHNO, More Abu Sayyaf Rebels Killed in Battle,

Zamboanga City, Nov. 25, 2000 - The military Friday claimed killing a still undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf rebels who are holding an American tourist and a Filipino scuba diver, in continuing clashes in Sulu province.

Officials said many guerrillas were slain in Thursday fighting in the jungle of Talipao near Mt. Danao, where government forces pursued two groups of Abu Sayyaf fighters.

Soldiers clashed fiercely with more than 80 rebels, regional military spokesman Army Col. Hilario Atendido said.

"Military reports indicated many Abu Sayyaf fighters were killed, but the bodies were taken away by retreating guerillas," he said.

The firefights, which started at 6 a.m., lasted for several hours, he said.

Muslim guerrillas broke into smaller groups and retreated when Army reinforcements arrived.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding captive Jeffrey Schilling and Roland Ullah in Sulu's hinterlands.

The Islamic extremist group freed dozens of mostly foreign captives it had kidnapped in a daring cross-border raid in Borneo early this year.

The group is also blamed by Philippine authorities for the numerous attacks on government targets, and terrorism in the South.