hilippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Monday conferred Gold Cross Medals to four Navy soldiers who were killed one week ago in fighting with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Basilan, 900 kilometers south of Manila.
Arroyo also ordered a 150 percent increase of financial assistance to families of soldiers who have died in combat.
The four navy soldiers were posthumously given the medals "for gallantry in action" during the brief but fierce clash with Abu Sayyaf rebels.
The military said at least 10 Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed in the fighting.
At least 30 government soldiers have been killed in fighting with Abu Sayyaf rebels and their supporters in Basilan and Sulu, two strongholds of the rebels in southern Philippines, since July.
Source: Xinhua
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