World Bulletin / News Desk

 Four soldiers and two suspected Abu Sayyaf members were killed in clashes in the troubled southern Philippines province of Basilan late Saturday.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, confirmed the death of four troops in two related encounters against the ISIL-linked militants.

According to Basilan Governor Jim Salimman, government troops set up several roadblocks in the town of Sumisip as a food blockade against the group.

An encounter with armed men at a checkpoint left two suspected militants dead, he added.

The military, however, said it was still confirming reports that Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in the encounters with government troops.

Petinglay said the military had been pursuing the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan in a bid to crush the militant group within six months.

Sumisip is one of the havens of the Abu Sayyaf in the southern province.