52 dead in clashes with suspected militants

? Clashes between Philippine troops and suspected al-Qaida-linked militants have killed at least 52 people on volatile southern Jolo island, the military said today.

The death toll included 25 soldiers and 27 militants, based on updated field reports, according to Maj. Eugene Batara, spokesman for the military’s Western Mindanao Command.

The fighting erupted Thursday when suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists ambushed a truck carrying troops headed to market, then fought a gunbattle with soldiers in pursuit.