Islamic militant attacks leave 15 dead in Philippines

Al Qaeda-linked militants in police uniforms set off bombs and fired at civilians on a strife-torn Philippine island Tuesday in violence that left 15 people dead, officials said.

The gunmen detonated two home-made bombs near a church and a school sports grandstand in Isabela city on Basilan island, in the latest show of force by the Abu Sayyaf network, which is blamed for the nation's worst terrorist attacks.

"I think (the attack) is meant to create havoc... Definitely it falls under terrorism," Major General Juancho Sabban, head of the Philippine Marines, told reporters in Manila. Isabela city mayor Cherry Akbar told reporters that 15 people were confirmed dead, including five militants who were apparently killed by one of their own bomb blasts.

Six civilians were also killed in the explosions, while three soldiers and a policeman were killed in gun battles with the militants, Ms Akbar said.