ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least 33 rebels and soldiers were killed and wounded in fierce clashes Thursday between Philippine military and Abu Sayyaf forces in the southern island of Sulu, officials said.
Officials said at least 6 Abu Sayyaf gunmen and two soldiers were slain in the clashes in Gata village in the town of Talipao. At least 10 rebels and 15 soldiers were also wounded in the fighting.
Troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion clashed with about 200 rebels under Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron and his lieutenant Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan for two hours until the gunmen split into smaller groups and fled.
Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, quoting reports from military commanders in the area, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner that the operation against the Abu Sayyaf will continue until their leaders are neutralized.
“This (operation) will continue without let-up and until their leaders and members are neutralized,” she said.
She identified the slain rebels as Kiram Jaafar, Adzmer Anni, Almujer Samlahun, and three others whose aliases were Rony, Almoger and Sapie. Four of the wounded gunmen have been identified as Jani Anlun, Wahid Muhammad, Nadzer Asiri and Amil Sawadjaan.
It was not immediately known whether Radulan or Hatib were killed or wounded in the battle.
“Intensified law enforcement operation is being undertaken by government troops, local police authorities and are being supported by the local government to expedite the arrest of these lawless groups which is responsible for the series of kidnappings, bombings and other atrocities in the province and adjacent areas,” Muyuela said.
In Sulu, Captain Eugene Bulao, a spokesman for the anti-terror Joint Task Group Sulu, said the wounded soldiers were being treated at a military hospital in Jolo town. “They are being attended to by our medical team,” he said.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several Filipino and foreign hostages they seized in different areas in the South and brought to Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)
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