MANILA - PHILIPPINE marines killed at least seven Al-Qaeda-linked militants yesterday in a raid on a coastal hide-out but failed to capture a Malaysian terror suspect long wanted by the United States, officials said.
Troops, backed by intelligence from captured militants and US military surveillance, have staged a series of offensives against the Abu Sayyaf in recent weeks - including one that killed a top commander last month.
Marines in boats launched the latest raid yesterday on Laminusa Island off southern Sulu province, sparking two clashes that left seven militants - including two women - dead and wounded a marine, regional military commander Rustico Guerrero said.
Malaysian militant Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, and Abu Sayyaf commander Abu Benhur are believed to have escaped with other fleeing militants, Brigadier-General Guerrero said. 'They may have escaped but we're pursuing them. This campaign will be relentless,' he told The Associated Press by telephone.
Marines recovered 15 assault weapons abandoned by the militants in a rural tangle of huts on stilts, he said.
The US has offered a US$5 million (S$7 million) reward for the capture of Marwan, a US-trained Malaysian engineer who has been accused by Manila of involvement in a number of deadly bombings in the country.
