[Business World] A military assault on Islamist militants in the southern Philippines entered its fifth day on Saturday, with the toll rising to 24 guerrillas and two soldiers dead.Ten Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed in a two-hour battle on Friday after the army struck their jungle lair on Jolo island with artillery and helicopter gunships. Another 14 rebels and two troops had been killed since the fighting erupted on Tuesday, said Col. Alan Arrojado, who is leading the assault.
Battles have been raging in the mountainous and thickly forested villages of Patikul town. The militants were reportedly moving with three Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah members who were providing them with bomb-making training.
Military spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said, "This (assault) will not stop until we put an end to the Abu Sayyaf."