Philippine President Benigno Aquino III vowed to pursue Muslim militants who killed seven Marines during a clash on a southern island two days ago, his office said yesterday. Twenty one soldiers were also wounded Thursday in the clash with Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels in Patikul town on Jolo Island, 1,000km south of Manila. “Mark my words, to those of you who perpetrated this atrocity, know that you are now number one in my radar. It might take some time, but make no mistake about it, you will be brought to justice to answer for your crimes,” Aquino said. The military confirmed that two of the troops were decapitated and the others were mutilated. Aquino also said the government would intensify its efforts to pursue peace efforts with the main Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front. “As a tribute to our brave soldiers, we will redouble our efforts to attain peace. If nothing changes, then their sacrifices would have been in vain,” he said. “Our efforts to put in place the conditions for sustained peace and security for our people will not waver.” The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for some of the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines, as well as high-profile kidnappings involving foreign hostages.Two people were killed and 8 others were wounded in separate attacks by suspected leftist rebels in southern Philippines, police officials said yesterday. The latest attack happened at around 5am yesterday when 250 New People’s Army guerrillas stormed the municipal police station of Trento town, in Mindanao’s Agusan del Sur province, killing two civilians and wounding three others, including two lawmen, said Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal, regional police chief for Caraga region where Agusan del Sur is located. Rafal told Xinhua by phone that the attackers attempted to overrun and capture the police station and nearby government buildings at the town proper, but were pushed back as the station’ s personnel led by a female police inspector fought back. DPA