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Tuesday, November 29, 2005
4 Sayyafs killed in fresh Sulu fighting
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- At least four Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in fresh fighting in Maimbung town in Sulu province, about 950 kilometers south of Manila, officials said Monday.
Officials said soldiers also captured a well-entrenched Abu Sayyaf base in the hinterland village of Buansa in Indanan town over the weekend.
"Four terrorists were killed in the clash in Maimbung and troops also captured an Abu Sayyaf base in Indanan town Sunday. The operation is still going on," said Major Gamal Hayudini, a spokesman for the military's Southern Command.
Soldiers recovered assorted munitions and weapons, including four rounds of 90mm rockets, and bags of ammonium nitrate used for the manufacture of homemade bombs, inside the Abu Sayyaf base, he said.
He said a mosque and a shallow grave were discovered by troops in the camp, and many bunkers and foxholes.
"It was well-fortified alright, but it is now under government control. Our flag is now hoisted in the enemy base," Hayudini said.
He said sporadic clashes still continue on the island. An Abu Sayyaf attack on an army post on November 11 sparked weeks of fierce fighting that left at least six soldiers and dozens of gunmen dead and wounded.
But Brigadier General Alexander Aleo, Jolo military chief, accused members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of aiding the Abu Sayyaf.
In many instances, Aleo said, MNLF forces fought alongside with the Abu Sayyaf group under Albader Parad, Radulan Sahiron and Umbra Gambahali, all included in Washington and Manila's terror lists.
The Abu Sayyaf group has splintered into smaller groups and was hiding in areas in Jolo's Mount Tumatangis, a known MNLF stronghold.
The MNLF rebels, whose group under Nur Misuari, signed a peace accord with Manila in September 1996. But many of them were disgruntled with the accord and have joined the Abu Sayyaf to fight for the establishment of a strict Islamic state similar to Iran.
The military said MNLF leaders Khaid Ajibun and Haber Malik were aiding the Abu Sayyaf. And that latest 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.
Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong said thousands of people have fled the fighting and appealed to the military for a halt in offensives to allow civilians to return home. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(November 29, 2005 issue)
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