ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 15, 2012) – A Philippine Army soldier who was among 3 wounded in fierce fighting Wednesday with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Basilan province had died in hospital, raising the number of military casualties to two, officials said.
Officials said three more soldiers were wounded in the fighting and that one of them is in critical condition at a military hospital in Zamboanga City.
“One of the wounded died at the Camp Navarro General Hospital while being operated on. Troops are continuing the operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan,” Army Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf rebels headed by Jahaibel Alamsirul and Isnilon Hapilon, who is wanted by both the Philippine and US authorities for his role in kidnappings of foreigners and terrorism in Mindanao.
The Abu Sayyaf has been linked by Philippine authorities to the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya. (Mindanao Examiner)
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