Thirteen people, including 12 civilians, were killed and several were injured Saturday when Muslim militants attacked a village in the southern Philippines, a provincial police chief said, dpa reported.
About 70 Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels swooped down at dawn on the village of Tubigan in Maluso town in Basilan province, 900 kilometres south of Manila, Senior Superintendent Antonio Mendoza said.
"The fatalities were one government militiaman and 12 civilians," he said.
Mendoza added the injured villagers were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment while more troops were dispatched to the area to pursue the guerrillas.
The attack occurred several hours after government security forces rescued in nearby Sumisip town two Chinese men kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf rebels more than three months ago.
Mendoza did not say if the attack was related to the ongoing pursuit being conducted by government forces against the kidnappers of the Chinese men rescued unharmed late Friday in Binembengan village.
The rescued victims - Zi Shun Lu, 51, and Bo Shung Tan, 27 - were operating a plywood factory in Maluso when the guerrillas abducted them on November 10.
The Abu Sayyaf group has been blamed for several deadly terrorist attacks in the country. They were also involved in high-profile kidnappings targeting foreigners and wealthy Filipino businessmen.
13 killed in attack by Muslim militants in Philippines
