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Monday, November 14, 2005
23 die in operation against Sayyaf
By By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- At least 23 Abu Sayyaf militants and soldiers were killed and dozens more injured in fierce fighting in the southern Philippines, officials said Sunday.
The fighting in the town of Indanan on Jolo Island has already killed 4 soldiers and at least 19 militants since Saturday. Twenty-one soldiers were wounded, eight of them seriously, the island's military chief, Brigadier General Alexander Aleo, said.
Aleo said renegade members of the former separatist rebel group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were aiding the Abu Sayyaf.
"Operations against the lawless elements are going on. We have intensified our campaign against the gunmen," he said.
Fresh fighting were reported in several fronts in Indanan at the weekend. Renegade MNLF forces have reportedly threatened to attack Panamao town on Jolo's eastern side if the military do not stop the assault against the Abu Sayyaf.
Rebel forces also harassed civilians in the two towns, forcing them to flee their homes, Aleo said.
He said an Abu Sayyaf attack on a group of patrolling soldiers late Friday in the village of Buanza in Indanan triggered the fighting that continued the next day.
Clashes between military and Abu Sayyaf forces also erupted on Saturday in Candilamon village, also in Indanan, he said.
Aleo said he ordered fresh reinforcements in Indanan to fight the Abu Sayyaf militants, group linked to the al-Qaeda terror network.
"We launched fresh operations against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists and the fighting is still going on. This is part of the government's campaign against terror," Aleo said.
Aleo said his group is pursuing two of the most notorious Abu Sayyaf leaders in Jolo island, Albader Parad and Radulan Sahiron, both included in Washington's and Manila's most wanted terrorists lists.
"We will get them sooner or later. There is no room for terrorists in Jolo island and many Muslims are supporting and helping us. They are providing information about the Abu terrorists," he said.
Aleo warned MNLF rebels not to provide sanctuary to the Abu Sayyaf group or attack soldiers or civilians in Jolo island.
In February, at least 25 soldiers and some 120 MNLF and Abu Sayyaf gunmen had been killed in weeks of fierce clashes following a rebel attack on a military post in Jolo.
Most of the attackers were loyal supporters of jailed MNLF leader Nur Misuari.
Misuari formerly headed the MNLF that accepted limited autonomy and signed a peace deal with the government in 1996. But violence flared again in November 2001 after some 200 former rebels, backed by the Abu Sayyaf, attacked a major army base in Jolo.
Misuari later escaped to Malaysia where he was arrested and deported back to the Philippines. Misuari was imprisoned on charges of rebellion, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but thousands of his followers and supporters still maintain strongholds in Jolo.
Many Abu Sayyaf militants were former MNLF members and they remained loyal to Misuari and in many instances fought alongside with forces identified with the ex-rebel leader. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(November 14, 2005 issue)
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