Military photos show solar panels and other personal belongings abandoned by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province in southern Philippines. And troops pay their last respect to soldiers killed in fierce clashes in the province.Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. also awarded medals to the wounded soldiers in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippine troops pursuing the Abu Sayyaf have tumbled on a pile of solar panels left behind by fleeing rebels in the southern province of Sulu, officials said Monday.
Officials said the solar panels were used by rebels to recharge their cell phones and laptop computers and even radio transceivers.
Soldiers also recovered pots and pans, blackened by soot, and clothing, and rubber boots abandoned by rebels as they escaped a massive military operation in the hinterlands of Talipao and Patikul towns, known stronghold of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in the province.
The military also released photos of the things troops recovered in Sulu. But the photos also showed the ill-equipped soldiers on the front line. They wore no Kevlar helmets and were not even wearing body armor.
Fierce clashes in Talipao town on November 14 left five soldiers and ten rebels dead and at least four dozen injured on both sides.
The bodies of all soldiers slain in the fighting have been sent home to their provinces after troops paid their last respect to the fallen heroes, who fought the rebels in close combat battle for several hours that killed two notorious Abu Sayyaf commanders Hairullah Asbang and Julie Ekit.
The military’s Western Mindanao Command identified the slain soldiers as Privates First Class Albert Villaluna, Alison Caro, Samuel Taluyan, Joey Blanche and Gabby Achas.
Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, led military officials in honoring the soldiers in Zamboanga City. The wounded soldiers were also given medals. Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang also awarded medals to the wounded soldiers in Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)
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