NINE suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while several others were believed to have been wounded in a military assault in the hinterlands of Basilan province, a top military official said Friday.
Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, said the target of the air and ground assault on Wednesday was the group of Furuji Indama and a certain Radzmi in Mahatalang village, Sumisip town.
Uy said a 30-minute firefight ensued when the troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion were able to close in the group of Indama and Radzmi who have a joint forces of 40 followers around 2 a.m. Wednesday.
He said the Abu Sayyaf bandits scampered to different directions when the Air Force’s 3rd Tactical Operations Wing provided air support to the ground forces.
The military official said the troops have recovered the remains of one of the nine slain bandits. Civilians informed the troops that eight others, who sustained fatal wounds, have died.
He said the troops have recovered two high powered firearms, an M-203 grenade launcher, medical supplies and other war materiel from the clash site.
Indama and Radzmi are among the three remaining Abu Sayyaf leaders in Basilan province. The third one, Nurhassan Jamiri, has surrendered to the military on March 28.
Jamiri was joined by his 13 followers when he surrendered to government authorities. (SunStar Philippines)