61. American missionary Burnham and Filipina hostage Ediborah Yap were killed when Philippine troops mounted a rescue attempt after they had been held for nearly a year. 62. All seven spits lie between the major Philippine island of Palawan and Pag-asa, one of seven Spratly islands garrisoned by Philippine troops. 63. Arroyo also defended her decision to allow US forces to engage in joint operations with Philippine troops against the Abu Sayyaf. 64. Burnham died earlier Friday when tragedy engulfed a rescue bid by Philippine troops. 65. Five Abu Sayyaf rebels were slain and several others wounded Saturday as Philippine troops closed in on the kidnap-for-ransom group, the military said. 66. Five communist guerrillas have been killed and at least six were captured in separate clashes with Philippine troops, the military said Wednesday. 67. The permit covers the Kalayaan group of eight islands and reefs currently garrisoned by Philippine troops. 68. The US engineers would have their own security contingent but will also be protected by Philippine troops, Golez added. 69. The US government has sent teams of US military advisers to train Philippine troops hunting for the Abu Sayyaf in the southern island of Basilan. 70. US and Philippine troops keep up hunt for Abu Sayyaf stragglers. |