Leading Islamist militant Isnilon Hapilon, who is on the United States' list of "most wanted terrorists", has been killed in the battle to reclaim a rebel-held Philippines city, the defence minister said on Monday.

The growing threat of terrorism in the APEC region stemming from lSlL, Al-Qaida and other organisations, cross-border travel of foreign terrorist fighters, spread of radicalisation through the Internet, and new sources and channels of terrorist financing were discussed yesterday at the third APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 3) in HCM City.

 Australian military spy planes will start flying missions over the southern Philippines to help in the fight against Islamic militants terrorising the area, the government said on Friday.