MANILA -- Fierce clashes between Philippine marine troops and Abu Sayyaf rebels on Saturday left at least seven soldiers dead and 25 others wounded on the southern island of Jolo, military officials said.

Government bombers and attack helicopters took turns blasting suspected positions of an Abu Sayyaf faction believed to be holding four female Jehovah's Witnesses, the officials added.

The women were snatched on Aug 20 while selling Avon cosmetics in a remote village on the troubled island. There were no reports on their fate. Three Indonesian tugboat crewmen are also being held by the Abu Sayyaf.

Other marines deployed elsewhere on Jolo were sent to the area to serve as a back-up force to troops pursuing the rebels.

The guerillas have split into smaller groups and engaged the soldiers in small, scattered running gunbattles in the jungle, military sources said. -- AP

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2002