ZAMBOANGA CITY – Troops clashed with a band of Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippine province of Sulu where security forces are on a mission to crush the brutal pro-IS group blamed by authorities for deadly twin bombings on a cathedral in the capital town of Jolo.

There was no immediate report of enemy casualties as security forces continue to pursue the militants in their own stronghold of Patikul town. The military offensives, however, also forced villagers to flee their homes in Latih and Bungkaong.