The fighting broke out early the same day in Makalang village and spasmodic fighting has still been occurring in the area.
Small shooting exchanges between the government troops and insurgents have taken place in the area since December 13 and only erupted into a big fighting on December 15.
An army official said the government forces have been searching for a group of 60 Abu Sayyaf leaders and the campaigns conducted so far have failed to capture the fortress of the insurgent group.
The Abu Sayyaf group was formed in the early 1900s and now has around 300-400 insurgents, operating mainly in South Philippines.
In the past years, the group had held several captives, bombings and brutal murders.
Following the killing of a Malaysian hostage in Sulu province, South Philippines, on November 17, Filipino President Benigno Aquino ordered the troops to intensify campaigns against Abu Sayyaf.
