New defense chief assumes post amid tension between troops and Muslim rebels

MANILA (AP) - The new defense secretary took office Wednesday, vowing to be tough on al-Qaeda-linked militants but pledging to keep the door to peace open to a Muslim separatist group.

As Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro took over from acting chief Norberto Gonzales, troops clashed with about 70 guerrillas from the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in the south, leaving three rebels and one government soldier dead, Maj. Gen. Ruben Rafael said. Another five troops were wounded, he said.

The military has been pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and two key operatives of regional terror network Jemaah Islamiyah, who are also wanted by the United States, in a major offensive launched a year ago on southern Jolo island.