Sunday, May 18, 2008 Marines repel Abu Sayyaf attackers By Bong P. Garcia
MARINE troops deployed on security duty for an inauguration and turnover of infrastructure project in Basilan province have repelled a group of attackers believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits.
The clash on Thursday ensued along the road in Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo while top officials from the military, Provincial Government and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were inaugurating an all-weather road project in the nearby town of Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.
Colonel Rustico Guerrero, chief of 1st Marine Brigade, said the attack is meant to disrupt the activity since the road project is a major engineering accomplishment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The road project of the AFP in the province is their way of support to the provincial government.
The 10-kilometer all-weather road that was inaugurated on Thursday by National Support Development Command (NSDC) chief Major General Jaime Buenaflor is part of the humanitarian offensive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Basilan province.
The humanitarian offensive was launched to bring development projects in Basilan as well as in Sulu to deny the Abu Sayyaf bandits a safe haven in the two provinces.
The all-weather road links the Lamitan City, a major trading center of Basilan, to the towns of Tipo-Tipo and Sumisip.
The all-weather road will hasten the transport of farm products to the market.
Also inaugurated last Thursday is the town hall of the new town of Ungkaya Pukan.
Guerrero said no one was reported killed or injured among the government troops while information revealed that one of the Abu Sayyaf bandits was wounded.
The inauguration and turn over ceremonies proceeded undisturbed since the clash site is far from the venue of the activity.
