Fierce fighting has erupted between Philippine troops and Muslim militants on two southern islands, leaving at least five soldiers dead and scores wounded, officials said Monday. Troops were pursuing al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants blamed for a recent spike in ransom kidnappings when they came under attack in Al-Barka township on Basilan island on Sunday, military spokeswoman Lt. Steffani Cacho said. She said the attackers included Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, who recently snatched seven construction workers, a 9-year-old and a nursing student, as well some members of the main Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The group's spokesman, Eid Kabalu, on Monday denied the rebels were involved.