No indiscriminate assault in Basilan, troops say

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - The military on Thursday vehemently denied reports  it launched indiscriminate aerial assault that wounded two civilians during  an offensive Sunday against high value target Abu Sayyaf group in the coastal village of Basilan province.

Col. Faustino Bejarin, deputy commander of the 104th Army Brigade based in Basilan, said the offensive was “very selective” when troops stormed the group of Nurhassan Jamiri, an Abu Sayyaf leader notorious in the kidnap for ransom operation at Barangay Bato-bato, Sumisip town.

Bejarin said the operation was launched Sunday after the religious leaders of the nearby madrasa and the villagers reported the presence of Jamiri and some 30 of his followers having picnic in the beach.

The military immediately dispatched its MG-520 attack helicopters for reconnaissance in the area but were fired  at by Jamiri and his group, prompting the attack helicopters to launch aerial assault.

“The helicopter gunships were prompted to react because they were fired at and we have the target and the assault was very selective,” Bejarin said.

“It wasn’t an indiscriminate offensive because considering the large number of enemies we could have unleashed a big volume of fire but the target was selective,” the army officer added to dispel reports.

However, Bejarin said it was unfortunate splinters  slightly wounded two madrasa students.

He said the  victims were immediately treated.One of the victims was brought to the hospital in Lamitan for treatment while the other with superficial wound was given first aid treatment.

Reports from a human rights group disclosed that four were  injured in the airstrike that hit civilians who were having a picnic.

Maj. Gen. Nicanor Vivar, 3rd Air Division chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), said the air craft launched the assault because there was order from the ground.

“We would not have delivered the strike if  we were not given the signal from the ground and the target was not positive,” Vivar said.

Bejarin added that even the religious leaders in the nearby madrasa and the villagers provided the information on the presence of Jamiri.

Bejarin said they have  explained their side about the incident to the local government officials in the area.

Military pursuit continues against the group of Jamiri after the latter escaped toward the forested area and into the jungle.

The military said the mainstream rebel forces have not  reacted since as the latter were informed of the target of the operations.