President Arroyo has asked the United States for technical help in tracking Abu Sayyaf rebels on Basilan. Two soldiers and several Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed in two battles on Basilan. So far, 19 soldiers and at least 30 rebels have been killed on Basilan. More than 75 soldiers and rebels have been wounded. The arrest of an Abu Sayyaf leader revealed that Abu Sayyaf was planning a bombing campaign in the capital to increase the pressure on the government to negotiate with the rebels..