ZAMBOANGA CITY Fourteen persons, including 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits, were killed while several were wounded in a battle in Sulu province Friday, a regional military spokesman said.

Major Filemon Tan, Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command said the firefight broke out around 10:20 a.m. Friday at Sitio Dyundangan, Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul, Sulu.

Tan said the firefight lasted for about 45 minutes. Troops from the Army’s 35 th Infantry Battalion encountered around 150 Abu Sayyaf bandits, led by Radulan Sahiron.

Tan said four soldiers were killed while nine were wounded and airlifted to a military hospital here.

He said troops recovered three bodies of the 10 Abu Sayyaf gunmen killed during the clash. The number of Abu Sayyaf casualties was known through intelligence report.

Tan said combat operations continue against the Abu Sayyaf Group to rescue 13 kidnap victims.

The Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf bandits are holding five Malaysians; four Filipinos; two Indonesians; a Dutchman; and, a Korean. DMS.