The military yesterday said the number of Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines has gone down from more than 1,200 in June to about 600 this month because of the government's relentless campaign against the extremist group.

Southern Command deputy chief Col Francisco Gudani said the massive military offensive has crippled the Abu Sayyaf.

He said the number of militants in Basilan and Jolo islands are estimated at 600 from the more than 1,200 in June. "Military operation in Basilan has crippled the Abu Sayyaf and weakened their organisation. We killed a lot of them and captured many more," Gudani said.

Gudani said a total of 127 militants were killed and 25 wounded in clashes from June 1 to November 14, and that 202 were captured by the police and military in the crackdown against the Abu Sayyaf and their supporters.