Sunday, March 23, 2008 Troops kill bandit in a clash
TROOPS of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) have killed a suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit in a pre-dawn clash in the hinterlands of Sulu, where offensive continues against the remaining bandit leaders and followers.
The clash ensued four days after the PMC has deployed its elite force, the Marine Force Recon Battalion, to the province of Sulu.
The elite force battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Ruben Candelario departed Monday night and headed for Sulu from Zamboanga City.
Third Marine Brigade chief Colonel Natalio Ecarma said the clash took place around 5:40 a.m. Friday in the town of Patikul, where one of the remaining bandit leaders is based.
Ecarma said the troops have recovered the remains of the slain bandit, closed to 200 rounds of ammunition for M-16 rifle, a cellular phone, and some Abu Sayyaf documents.
The marine believed that the slain bandit was a follower of one-armed Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, the oldest among the militant heads based in Patikul town.
Ecarma disclosed that pursuit operations continue against the bandit group figured in last Friday's clash.
Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Lieutenant General Nelson Allaga earlier said that the offensive against the Abu Sayyafs and other lawless elements continue despite the observance of the Holy Week. (Bong Garcia)
