Muslim rebels in Philippines kill 3 men in ambush

Members of the Philippine Coast guard anti-terrorist unit conduct a maritime patrol at the back of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines on Thursday Sept. 13, 2012. Security was increased at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world following an attack that killed a U.S. ambassador in Libya. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines— The Philippine military says Muslim militants have ambushed security guards and laborers from a rubber plantation on a volatile southern island, killing three men and wounding six others.

The attack Thursday on Basilan Island, the stronghold of al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants, is the latest in weeklong assaults against the 1,200-hectare (2,964-acre) plantation despite the military’s efforts to protect workers.

The government blames the Abu Sayyaf, which is notorious for ransom kidnappings and terrorist attacks over the last two decades. The violence is reportedly rooted in a labor dispute involving the cooperative and dismissed members who are relatives of some of the militant commanders.

More than a dozen workers and security guards have been killed in recent months.

Military commander Col. Carlito Galvez said Friday that troops are pursuing the attackers.