8 Sayyaf bandits captured

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Pursuing government troops have captured eight suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf as the Armed Forces of the Philippines moved closer to cornering the main bandit group still holding 18 hostages in the jungles of Sampinit, Basilan.

Col. Hermogenes Esperon of the Army’s 103rd Brigade said seven bandits were captured in Serongan Thursday while fleeing from Barangay Mangalut, Tuburan.

Five of the suspects were identified as Ammodia Amain, Abbas Aspolin, Faizal Haled, Angie Saboani and Basil Saboani. Recovered were three firearms and assorted ammunition.

Esperon said the bandits may have sensed the presence of Scout Rangers conducting a patrol in the area and abandoned the houses.

Recovered from one of the nipa huts were an M16 Armalite and a Garand rifle. The bandits also left behind newly cooked food, good for 20 persons, in one of the houses.

"Our troops eventually caught up with some of the rebels in the nearby village of Serongan," Esperon said.

The military said troops also stumbled upon an abandoned Abu Sayyaf camp on Mt. Sirawak, situated in the border of Sampinit and Isabela City. Recovered were a ultra-high radio communication unit and accessories.

The communication equipment, officials pointed out, was probably hidden in the area following an encounter in Barangay Sinangkapan.

Meanwhile, a suspected Abu Sayyaf intelligence agent believed to be a follower of bandit leader Isnilon Hapilon, was captured Friday while trying to slip through a military checkpoint aboard a passenger jeep in Barangay Colonia, Lamitan.

The suspect was identified as Moner Paeng akbu Ubar, a resident of Kumalarang in Isabela City.

Found in the suspect’s bag was list of cellphone numbers of Abu Sayyaf leaders, including that of spokesman Abu Sabaya.

Esperon said the operations against the Abu Sayyaf have been boosted by the presence of additional troops guarding possible escape routes.

The military has already placed at least three brigades of soldiers as bandits continue to attack civilians. The latest incident involved an ambush on a passenger jeep, killing seven persons and injuring 20 others.