[Gulf Today] Two junior Philippine Army officers and a soldier were killed when a landmine believed to have been set off by Abu Sayyaf militants exploded on the island province of Sulu. Brigadier General Jose Kakilala said the blast coincided with the visit to the island of General Gregorio Pio Catapang to check on the ongoing campaign against the Abu Sayyaf.Kakilala said that the two junior officers were aboard military trucks bringing provisions to soldiers guarding a local road project when the landmine exploded on Wednesday afternoon. After the blast, militants on both sides of the road fired at the soldiers, resulting in a 30-minute gun battle.