Troops rescue farmers from abductors

Security forces rescued five Muslim farmers who were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants, after a firefight in the southern Basilan island.

The incident left three soldiers and two gunmen wounded, Philippine Army commander Brigadier General Bonifacio Ramos said.

Commander Hamsiraji Salih led several Abu Sayyaf members in raiding a small farm in the hinterland village of Kapayawan in the outskirts of Isabela City on Friday and seized five victims, one of them a woman.

Villagers who witnessed the abduction informed the military, prompting the armed forces to send soldiers to track down the kidnappers, General Ramos said.

The troops caught up with Salih's group five hours later and a firefight ensued giving the hostages a chance to escape, he said.

"While there was a running gunbattle, the hostages fled and were rescued by soldiers. Three soldiers and two rebels were wounded," said Ramos.

He said the victims were working on their farm when the rebels seized them at gunpoint.

"The Abu Sayyaf members have resorted to extortion, but no one is cooperating with them," Ramos said.

The gunmen fled to Patikul town, a known Abu Sayyaf stronghold.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Narciso Abaya has ordered the military to intensify its operation against the group.

The military and police have tagged the Abu Sayyaf behind the series of kidnappings in the southern Philippines.

Manila also linked the group to the kidnapping of 20 foreign tourists, and US national Jeffrey Craig Schilling in 2000 and the abduction of tourists in Palawan southwestern Philippines in 2001.