Military pounds islands to flush out Abu Sayyaf rebels

Government forces bombarded yesterday suspected Abu Sayyaf positions in islands surrounding Jolo, Sulu in a bid to flush out the Muslim extremist group holding five hostages.

The Abu Sayyaf gunmen have so far eluded the troops’ relentless pursuit launched on Sept. 16 following the abduction of three Malaysians from the island resort of Pandanan in Sabah.

Artillery also blasted Abu Sayyaf lairs in southern Jolo before dawn yesterday while soldiers searched the towns of Panamao, Luuk, Maimbung and Talipao for any signs of the kidnappers and their captives consisting of the three Malaysians, an American and a Filipino.

Military and local government officials in Jolo said Air Force planes bombed the nearby islands of Pandami and Sitangkai following reports that Abu Sayyaf guerrillas had sought refuge there to elude the military manhunt in Jolo.

Major Angelo Gepilano, spokesman for Task Force Trident carrying out the all-out offensive, said senior Abu Sayyaf leaders were still in Sulu.

Gepilano admitted, though, that some Abu Sayyaf fighters may have slipped through the military cordon.

He added that the troops were combing all possible rebel hideouts, leaving the bandits with fewer places to hide.

"They are really hard-up, running out of supplies now as they are trying to elude pursuing forces," Gepilano said.

The latest clash between the Abu Sayyaf and soldiers took place late Thursday, but no one was killed as the guerrillas swiftly fled.

Superintendent Candido Casimiro, Sulu provincial police director, said he has placed drugstores in Jolo under tight watch to make sure that the Abu Sayyaf terrorists could not buy medicines for their wounded comrades.

The guerrillas have reportedly split into different groups and were holding the captives in various areas.

A military intelligence source said the group of Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot and his closest ally, Mujib Susukan were still holed out in the thickly forested mountains of Talipao, possibly in a cave. – Marichu Villanueva, Roel Pareño, Sandy Araneta, Aurea Calica, Romel Bagares, Edith Regalado,AFP, AP