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Friday, November 25, 2005
Soldier killed, 2 injured in another Jolo clash
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Fierce fighting between Abu Sayyaf militants and security forces erupted in the island of Jolo, about 950 kilometers south of Manila, leaving one soldier dead and two others seriously wounded, officials said on Thursday.
Officials said troops clashed with some 150 militants, backed by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces, in Mt. Tumatangis in Indanan town Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a soldier was also killed by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in fighting near the town of Indanan.
"Sporadic clashes continue on the island, and troops are pursuing Abu Sayyaf terrorists," regional military spokesman Air Force Major Gamal Hayudini said in Jolo.
The military did not say if there were enemy casualties, but previous reports suggested dozens of gunmen were killed in two weeks of fighting in Indanan and Panamao towns.
It said at least six soldiers had been gunned down and more than two dozens were wounded.
Officials said the Abu Sayyaf and MNLF forces were attacking troops the past three days and that the number of gunmen have swelled to 700 from about 100 the last week.
They said that MNLF leaders Khaid Ajibun and Haber Malik were aiding the Abu Sayyaf. And that latest military intelligence reports said another MNLF leader in Basilan island, Bashiri Jailani, has reinforced rebel forces in Jolo.
Malik has denied the allegations and said troops attacked their positions, in the guise of pursuing the Abu Sayyaf group, and that rebels were only defending themselves.
Officials said the target of the military offensive were the Abu Sayyaf leaders in Jolo--Albader Parad and Umbra Jumdail Gumbahali and Radulan Sahiron, who are included in the terror lists of both Manila and Washington.
The military said it would also attack armed groups that are supporting the Abu Sayyaf.
Hostilities erupted after the Abu Sayyaf attacked a military post November 11 in Indanan and the fighting spread to neighboring towns.
In February, at least 25 soldiers and some 120 MNLF and Abu Sayyaf militants 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. He is now in jail on charges of rebellion, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Thousands of his followers and supporters still maintain strongholds in Jolo.
Many Abu Sayyaf militants were former members of the MNLF. The military said they are still loyal to Misuari and in many instances fought alongside with forces identified with the ex-rebel leader.
Social workers said the latest hostilities forced more than 2,500 people to flee their homes in Jolo for fear that they would be caught in the crossfire or held hostage by gunmen. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(November 25, 2005 issue)
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