Security forces in Basilan raided a hideout of Abu Sayyaf leader Nurhassan Jamiri, killing seven militants; one soldier was killed and eight more wounded in the operation. During the firefight, Jamiri led militants toward a Moro Islamic Liberation Front stronghold, at which point the security forces retreated to avoid clashing with MILF. Defense Secretary Gazmin and Foreign Secretary del Rosario told Philippine congressional leaders about the government’s plans to begin negotiations with the US on the implementation of “our agreed policy of increased rotational presence” of US troops.
