COTABATO CITY – Security officials were silent on Monday following deadly clashes with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Basilan province in the restive Muslim autonomous region.
Dozens of soldiers and rebels were killed and wounded in fierce clashes over the weekend with troops killing a Moroccan bomb expert Mohd Kattab and Ubaida Hapilon, son of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. Another rebel commander, Radzmil Jannatul, was also slain in the fighting that broke out in Tipo-Tipo town.
Gov. Mujiv Hataman, of the autonomous region, on Monday consoled with the families of the slain soldiers. “We also pray for the recovery of the more than 50 soldiers who were wounded in the same encounter. Our thoughts and prayers are with our soldiers and their families, and in this time of mourning we would like to express our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones to an act of cowardice committed by a terror group that has brought nothing to our shores but death and grief,” he said.
Hataman said what happened in Basilan was a tragedy, adding, “once again reminds us that there are those who among us who still tread the path of terror, and those who would stop at nothing to breed hatred and suffering among our people.”
“But we will not succumb to their mindless provocation, and we will continue to tread the path of peace as we work harder to bring justice to the people of our region. We will not cease in our efforts towards peace and we condemn this act that betrays our faith and our values – an act to which we will respond with justice swiftly and rightfully served,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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