(UPDATE) 1 killed, 5 hurt in Sulu ambush

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A Marine soldier was killed while five others were injured after Abu Sayyaf terrorists ambushed their convoy in southern Philippines today morning, a military official said.

Capt. Ryan Lacuesta, civil military operations officer of the 2nd Marine Brigade, said the troops and civilians came from a tree-planting activity and were on their way to Jolo town when they were waylaid at Parang town, Sulu province.

Lacuesta said the soldiers exchanged fire with some 20 Abu Sayyaf terrorists for about half an hour. He, however, could not say whether the terrorist group suffered casualties during the fighting.

He said the Abu Sayyaf staged the ambush as a "retaliatory action" against government troops.

Government security forces clashed with the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Yasser Igasan in Talipao town, Sulu on Feb. 8, killing six terrorists and wounding civilian volunteers.