ZAMBOANGA CITY – Nearly two dozen Abu Sayyaf rebels and soldiers were reported slain and injured in fresh battle before dusk Wednesday in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said at least 15 rebels were killed and 7 soldiers injured in the fighting that erupted in Indanan town in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
Troops were sent to the area to rescue Abu Sayyaf kidnapped victims when they encountered about 100 rebels under Yasser Igasan and Alhabsy Misaya. Both men are notorious commanders of the dreaded group tagged by the military as behind the spate of deadly attacks and ransom kidnappings in the troubled region.
“While conducting focused military operations to rescue the kidnapped victims, operating troops from 1st Scout Ranger Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Boquio encountered more or less 100 Abu Sayyafs under sub-leaders Yasser Igasan and Alhabsy Misaya,” said Captain Roy Trinidad, a military spokesman.
He said the military fired artilleries to enemy targets to support ground troops battling the Abu Sayyaf.
The rebels are holding several Filipino and foreigners they kidnapped in other areas and brought to Sulu. Trinidad did not say who among them were being held captive in the village. (Mindanao Examiner)
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