The death toll from clashes between government troops and Abu Sayyaf members in Basilan has risen to at least 20. The military said two soldiers were among the dead while the Abu Sayyaf has 18 fatalities. At least 31 soldiers have also been wounded in the clashes. The fighting erupted when government troops engaged a group of about 60 Abu Sayyaf fighters in Sitio Pansul, Barangay Silangkum in Tipo-Tipo. The military was pursuing the group of Abu Sayyaf commander Furuji Indama after he allegedly threatened and demanded P5 million from the contractor of the Magkawa-Al Barka road project. - ANC Headstart, 15 April 2014
