10 soldiers wounded in Philippine clashes

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Fierce fighting between security forces and Abu Sayyaf rebels in southern Philippines have left at least 10 soldiers wounded, officials said, adding military offensive continues against the dreaded group blamed for the spate of terrorism and ransom kidnappings.

Officials said a huge group of about 300 armed rebels clashed with soldiers who were tracking down several Filipinos and foreigners kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf.

Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the fighting broke out in the mountainous side of Patikul, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf.

She said an undetermined number of rebels were either killed or wounded in the fighting. “We have received reports of an undetermined number of Abu Sayyafs are either killed or wounded in the clash. The operation is still going in the area,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

The operation was launched even as the Abu Sayyaf threatened to behead one of its two Malaysian hostages – Bernard Then Ted Fen – if his family fails to pay ransom. The 39-year old Bernard was kidnapped along with Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, by four gunmen who stormed Ocean King Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan on May 14. Thien is the restaurant’s manager.

Muyuela said troops were still pursuing the rebels. Other media reports said some of the rebel commanders involved in the clash have been identified as Muamar Askali, Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, Almuktar Suddung, Basaron Arok and Namiel Ahajari – all under Abu Sayyaf leader Yasser Igasan. And that some were members of the Jemaah Islamiya who are being harbored by the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

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