Manila, Muharram 09, 1436, November 02, 2014, SPA -- Six soldiers securing a road project in the southern Philippines were killed Sunday in a clash with Islamist militants, an army commander said, according to dpa. The troops were conducting security patrols in Libug village in Sumisip town in Basilan province, 900 kilometres south of Manila, when they encountered about 20 militants. "The soldiers were securing a circumferential road project to ensure its timely completion before the end of this year," said Colonel Rolando Bautista, an army brigade commander. Six soldiers, including a second lieutenant, were killed in the 45-minute firefight, he said, adding that additional troops have been dispatched to hunt the militants. --SPA 12:13 LOCAL TIME 09:13 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w