Filipino troops pound Muslim gunmen, killing more than 60

Government troops, backed by
helicopter gunships, bombarded Muslim rebels with artillery
and rocket fire Sunday in the mountainous heartland of
southern Jolo island after weeklong clashes that left more
than 60 people dead.
Three soldiers were killed in the latest fighting near
Panamao and Looc towns and their bodies were flown out of
Jolo by an air force plane, according to witnesses.