109 bandits, 91 rebels killed by military

MANILA, Philippines - The military’s sustained drive against the Abu Sayyaf group and the New People’s Army (NPA) has left 109 bandits and 91 rebels dead.

On the other hand, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lost 109 soldiers and had 599 men wounded in clashes in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga, AFP spokesman Edgard Arevalo said yesterday.

The military’s anti-terror campaign against the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao also resulted in the arrest of 72 bandits and the surrender of 99 others, Arevalo said.

“From Jan. 1 to July 19, we have neutralized 290 Abu Sayyaf bandits,” he said.

He added the military also suffered 483 casualties, with 66 soldiers killed and 470 wounded in its anti-terror and anti-kidnapping campaigns against bandits in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The Abu Sayyaf has executed at least 15 of its captives in kidnap-for-ransom operations.

Meanwhile, soldiers going after the NPA across the country have neutralized 403 rebels with the resumption of the anti-insurgency operations following the termination of peace talks last Feb. 4.

Of the neutralized rebels, 91 were killed, 40 arrested and 272 surrendered to the military.

Rebels, however, executed 14 civilians, kidnapped six and harmed 11 others, the AFP said.

While fighting the NPA, the AFP lost 42 soldiers and 129 others were wounded.

“The AFP has recorded 203 encounters with the NPA since February,” Arevalo said.

“Despite facing a two-pronged war, excluding the ongoing conflict in Marawi, the military is well prepared to deal with threats the Abu Sayyaf and the NPA pose and is not letting its guard down,” he said.