ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) -- Three suspected Abu Sayyaf members possibly involved in last Tuesday's terror attacks in Basilan province were killed in an encounter with the military.  

According to Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, the gun battle took place at 5:09 p.m. when members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 (MBLT-1) encountered an undetermined number of armed Abu Sayyaf members in Barangay Mesola.

After an almost 15-minute gun battle, they fled towards the northeastern part of Isabela City.

Three Abu Sayyaf members were allegedly killed, while 2 were wounded among government troops.  

The military recovered from the battle site a squad automatic weapon, an M-16 assault rifle, and an M-14 rifle.

The MBLT-1 was conducting clearing operations shortly before the encounter.

At least 12 people were killed in Tuesday's series of bomb attacks and gun battles involving the Abu Sayyaf militants. (Click here for story.)

The gunmen detonated 2 home-made bombs near a church and a school sports grandstand in Isabela City in the Abu Sayyaf's latest show of force.

The Abu Sayyaf is blamed for the Philippines' worst terrorist attacks. -- With reports from Noel Alamar, dzMM; Queenie Casimiro and Leila Vicente, ABS-CBN Zamboanga