4 Sayyaf rebels die in hunt for captives

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed as government troops continued a major assault to rescue an American and a Filipino being held captive in Sulu, the military said yesterday.

Soldiers raided a camp of the Abu Sayyaf group in the remote jungle village of Buhanginan before dawn yesterday, triggering fierce clashes that left three rebels dead, regional Army commander Brig. Gen. Romeo Dominguez said.

"The fighting was really fierce, there was a running gun battle," Dominguez said. "We killed three terrorists and recovered several weapons."

On Sunday, an Abu Sayyaf member was killed in a separate firefight in nearby Talipao town as government soldiers pressed on to rescue

American Muslim Jeffrey Schilling and Filipino dive instructor Roland Ullah.

Col. Jovenal Narcise, spokesman for the military unit spearheading the rescue, told reporters Army Special Forces were met with gunfire as they closed in on the rebels’ hideout, forcing them to fire back and kill three bandits.

"Villagers in the area reported to the pursuing troops they saw the bandits bringing along with them many casualties," he said. "This is an indication that the civilians are helping the government."

Narcise said the soldiers recovered from the scene at least 32 assorted high-powered firearms, caliber .50 machineguns and a handheld radio transceiver.

Dominguez told reporters they have pinpointed the place where the bandits have been hiding but that they are moving from one place to another.

"The fighting was really fierce, there was a running gunbattle," he said.

Schilling and Ullah are the two remaining hostages of the bandits who went on a kidnapping spree last year. Ullah is the last of 21 mostly foreign hostages snatched from Sipadan island off Sabah on Easter Sunday last year, while Schilling walked into the rebels’ lair last August.

President Arroyo will fly to Jolo this morning to see for herself the latest developments in the all-out war she had ordered against the Abu Sayyaf.

Mrs. Arroyo will touch down in Zamboanga City before flying to Jolo for a command conference with officers of the Army’s 104th Brigade at Camp Teodulfo Bautista.

Mrs. Arroyo will be accompanied by Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, National Security Adviser Roilo Gole and Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva.

Mrs. Arroyo will also hold a command conference with Villanueva and officers of the Southern Command at their headquarters at Camp Basilio Navarro.

Renato Corona, Mrs. Arroyo’s chief of staff, told The STAR police will charge before the local prosecutor’s office Abu Sayyaf bandits who are captured by Army troops.

"Whether or not there will be witnesses to come forward, it’s entirely a different issue," he said.

Corona said the foreigners who were snatched from Sipadan and held hostage in Sulu last year need not return to the country to testify against the bandits.

"But if there will be one or two brave souls to identify any of them (bandits) as part of the kidnapping team, they will be held answerable for their crimes," he said.

Corona said authorities has filed the appropriate charges against the 12 Abu Sayyaf members who had surrendered to government troops after a fierce gunbattle in Talipao town in Sulu last Saturday.

Corona said the captured bandits must be immediately charged in court because the police might be accused of arbitrary detention if they hold them in jail indefinitely.

"Once proven they (bandits) have violated the law, we will file the charges and hold them answerable for their crimes," he said.

Corona said the Abu Sayyaf bandits will be charged with illegal detention, physical injuries, illegal possession of firearms, and kidnapping.

"If it can be proven they directly participated and were involved in the kidnap-for-ransom, they have to answer for it," he said.

Corona said many Abu Sayyaf members who had taken part in criminal activities may get "light sentences," except for their leaders Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot and Abu Sabaya.

Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan, Armed Forces spokesman, said human rights groups are hampering the military operation to capture Abu Sayyaf members and rescue Schilling and Ullah.

"We have to avoid causing injuries to civilians and damage to property," he said.

Adan said he had also received reports that civilian communities are harboring the bandits either out of fear or sheer monetary consideration.

"It is difficult for operating troops to close in on armed groups because they blend with communities when cornered by government soldiers," he said.

Adan said the military has information on civilians supporting the bandits but they cannot act on the reports because these have become a police matter.

"We in the military know what to do but since it becomes a police concern, you would need witnesses," he said. "But you can’t expect them (civilians) to point out these armed men because they are relatives."– With reports from Marichu Villanueva, Paolo Romero