Pirate attack in Philippines

Last Updated: Sun, 8 Mar 2009 15:20:00 +1100

Pirates have attacked a fishing boat in the southern Philippines, killing three crewmen and taking two others hostage as they fled with the vessel.

The pirates opened fire on the unidentified vessel late Thursday off the island of Basilan before they boarded it and killed the three crewmen.

Authorities have not yet named any suspects in the case, but the area is a known stronghold for Muslim extremist groups like the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf.

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