Abu Sayyaf militants kill 9, wound 16 in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Abu Sayyaf militant gunmen have killed at least nine people and wounded 16 others in a dawn attack in a remote village in Basilan, according to military officials.

Officials say about 20 Abu Sayyaf gunmen opened fire on villagers and burned five houses and a barangay hall in the attack early Monday in Barangay Tubigan in Maluso town in Basilan. The attackers fled and were being pursued by troops.

Col. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, said the militants might have staged the attack to retaliate against communities they think were not supportive of them following a series of battle setbacks.

The Abu Sayyaf has been blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization for ransom kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and other violence.