Al Qaeda-linked militants in police uniforms set off bombs and fired at civilians on a strife-torn Philippine island that left 15 people dead. The gunmen targeted a government office and a church in Isabela city on Basilan island with two home-made bombs. Isabela city mayor Cherry Akbar told reporters that 15 people were confirmed dead, including five militants who were apparently killed by one of their own bomb blasts. Ms Akbar said six civilians were also killed in the explosions, while three soldiers and one policeman were killed in gunbattles with the militants. According to the region's military chief, Lieutenant General Ben Dolorfino, at least 25 militants wearing police uniforms were involved in the attacks. They sprayed bullets at terrified civilians scrambling away to safety, and engaged in a gunbattle with security forces on the outskirts of Isabela that lasted for at least three hours. Isabela, an impoverished island of nearly 500,000 people, is part of the southern Philippines' Mindanao region where the Abu Sayyaf and other Muslim rebel groups are fighting for an independent homeland.<br/>