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Manila/Jolo: The military denied reports that American soldiers were present when an Al Qaida-linked local terror group ambushed Philippine government soldiers, killing four people and wounding 10 others in Jolo, southern Philippines on August 30.
A US serviceman reportedly survived unharmed in the ambush, other sources said.
"We have not received any report of any Americans involved in the Abu Sayyaf Group's ambush in Bonbon village in Patikul, Sulu last Saturday," said Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano.
"Philippine marine personnel on board two vehicles were fired upon a few metres away from the camp," said Yano.
Ambush
"The Americans involved in humanitarian initiatives in the area were in the battalion headquarters during the ambush. [After the attack] helicopters from the United States immediately evacuated the wounded to Zamboanga City," he added.
Earlier reports said that American and Filipino soldiers were attacked by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who were armed with mortars and automatic weapons.
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