Abu Sayyaf bandits attack military detachment

GOVERNMENT security forces manning a detachment have repelled an attack staged by the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan province, officials said Tuesday.

Captain Alberto Caber, spokesperson of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, said the attack took place around 9:20 a.m. Monday at the Candiis Detachment located in the village of Upper Cabengbeng, Sumisip, Basilan.

Caber said the attackers were followers of Commander Botong Aleman, a mid-level leader of the remaining Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan.

The troops from the Army's 64th Infantry Battalion and 1405th Special Forces Team fought back the attackers when they came under fire by the bandits, Caber said.

He said the Abu Sayyaf bandits fled to different directions after the Charlie Company troops, stationed nearby, pummeled them with mortar fire supporting the Candiis Detachment troops.

No one among the troops stationed at Candiis Detachment were either killed or injured during the attack.

Caber said that Monday's attack on Candiis detachment, which was a former Abu Sayyaf camp, was the fifth time since July this year.

"Evidently, the bandits want to regain possession of the said detachment that will again serve as their observation post to provide them great tactical advantage in the area against government troops," he said.

The Candiis detachment was established to protect the villagers from harm, violent activities and criminalities perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf bandits, he added.

Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, said the troops will continue to perform their task in Sumisip, Basilan "by all means until lasting peace is achieved."

"The successful defense of the detachment by our foot soldiers is a pledge that our Army is sincere and not tired in protecting the mixed Muslim-Christian community against rouge elements in Basilan," Cruz said.