Abu Sayyaf 'rising star' killed in Philippine firefight

April 22 (UPI) -- Philippine troops killed a leader of the Abu Sayyaf extremist group in a fresh firefight on the resort island of Bohol, officials said.

Bohol Provincial Office Director Felipe Nativiad said Joselito Melloria, 33, was shot dead before he reached Inabanga, where military forces had clashed with the group last week. Melloria was seen as a "rising star" in the militant group.

Officials said the assault started Saturday noon, local time. Residents were told to take cover during the incident.

Last week, a clash left three soldiers, one police officer and five suspected Abu Sayyaf militants dead.