Six killed as military, militants clash in Philippines

At least six people have been killed in battle between government forces and suspected Abu Sayyaf militants on a central resort island, Philippine officials said . The area is far from the extremists’ southern jungle bases and in a region where the U.S. government has warned the gunmen may be conducting kidnappings.

Military and police officials said a soldier and at least five gunmen were killed in an ongoing clash in Inabanga town in Bohol province, a popular tourist destination.

National police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa says troops and policemen attacked the gunmen early Tuesday in Inabanga, where the gunmen took cover in three houses.