BASILAN PROVINCE (Mindanao Examiner / July 25, 2014) – Two government militias and three Abu Sayyaf militant were killed in fierce fighting in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao, officials said Friday.
Officials said the fighting erupted in the village of Sungkayot in Ungkaya Pukan on Thursday following a military operation that targeted Abu Sayyaf militant Sulayman Ajanti, who was killed in the clashes. Two other militants Botong Aliman and Madie Umangkat were also slain in the fighting.
Two automatic rifles were also recovered by troops from the slain militants.
Two government militias – Adzmin Hasalal and Ummal Kulok – were also wounded in the fighting that left two of their relatives Damman Hasalal and Jakaria Kulok, who were militias, dead.
No other details were made available by the Philippine Army in Basilan province and the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City on the clashes or the progress of the military operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
Philippine authorities have largely blamed the Abu Sayyaf to the spate of attacks and ransom kidnappings in the southern region. (Mindanao Examiner)
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