Marines seeking abducted Italian priest clash with militants, at least 3 killed

MANILA (AP) - Marines searching for a kidnapped Italian priest encountered a large group of Muslim insurgents on a southern island Tuesday, sparking a clash that killed a marine and at least two insurgents, officials said.

The clash wounded two other marines in Al-Barka town on Basilan island, according to marine Col. Ramiro Alivio, Basilan's military chief.

A team of marines were checking reports of sightings in Al-Barka of the Rev. Giancarlo Bossi, who was kidnapped by gunmen in nearby Zamboanga Sibugay on June 10, Alivio said. The marines were not able to confirm the reports.

They were heading back to camp when they were attacked by suspected Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, he said.

The clash killed a marine and wounded two others. Alivio said it was not immediately clear whether the guerrillas had suffered casualties.