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 MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Muslim insurgents ambushed a Philippine marine convoy searching for a kidnapped Italian priest and killed at least 14 troops, beheading at least 10 of them, a military spokesman said Wednesday.
The chaotic, seven-hour firefight took place in dense jungle on the southern island of Basilan. The government has touted Basilan as a success story in the war on terrorism since U.S. troops carried out yearlong counterterror training exercises there in 2002 aimed at helping oust the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group.
The military blamed the Abu Sayyaf for Tuesday's clash and said nine other marines were wounded.
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