MANILA — Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Friday vowed to get justice for two marines beheaded in a brutal knife attack by Islamist militants who killed five other soldiers.
Abu Sayyaf extremists killed seven marines, severing the heads of two of them and wounded 27 others in a major clash on the remote southern island of Jolo on Thursday, according to an updated toll put out by the armed forces.
"In this encounter, seven of our troops fell in the midst of operations, and some of their remains were mutilated by the terrorists," the president said in a written statement.
"I condemn these atrocities that are meant to put pressure on the peace process -- to derail our efforts to counteract the causes of banditry, rebellion, and terrorism."
Aquino said he planned to attend a wake for the dead marines and pledged to their relatives that those responsible would be tracked down and arrested.
"Mark my words: to those of you who perpetrated this atrocity, know that you are now number one on my radar. It might take some time, but make no mistake about it: you will be brought to justice to answer for your crimes.
Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay says two other slain marines suffered severe hack wounds during the gunbattle Thursday with Abu Sayyaf fighters in the jungles of southern Jolo Island.
The navy said Friday 26 other marines were wounded and the militants lost at least 13 fighters in some of the heaviest fighting this year.
Kidnappings and beheadings are the Abu Sayyaf's trademark that has placed it on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. Tonsay called the atrocities barbarism.
The marines overran a militant camp but failed to capture their target, Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron.
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