| Military warplanes pounded a Muslim extremist group's stronghold in the southern Philippines in retaliation for Abu Sayyaf attacks that killed several soldiers. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the air strikes by two jet fighters and two helicopters and subsequent mortar fire on rebel mountain camps in Patikul on Jolo island. The military this week escalated its months-long offensive against the Abu Sayyaf after a series of clashes and rebel attacks killed scores of rebels and at least 11 soldiers. |