**A group of suspected Islamic militants have attacked a jail in the southern Philippines, freeing at least 31 prisoners, reports say.**Two people, including a prison guard, are believed to have been killed during a gunfight as the prisoners escaped.
Basilan Island Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul says gunmen wanted to free Muslim guerrillas in the provincial Isabela city jail, AP reported.
He added other inmates also escaped during the attack early on Sunday.
Mr Sakalahul said around 30 gunmen broke a concrete wall to get through to the provincial jail.
Regional military commander Maj Gen Benjamin Dolorfino said suspected members of the Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) and suspected militants from the Abu Sayyaf group are believed to have escaped.
A military and police operation to catch those who carried out the attack and the escapees has begun.
The escape comes just hours before the country’s Defence Secretary Norberto Gonzales is due to arrive on the island, which is 550 miles (880km) south of Manila.