40 troops hunting Sayyaf go AWOL

ZAMBOANGA CITY — In the midst of the battle to vanquish the Abu Sayyaf, even government troops are taking a break in observance of Ramadan.

The military operation to rescue two Americans and a Filipina from the clutches of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan experienced a minor setback after 40 soldiers left their posts for customary prayer activities during the Muslim holy month.

Led by Lt. Ben Sabbaha, the soldiers — all Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) integrees — went AWOL (absent without official leave) the other day and abandoned their pursuit of the bandits in Barangay Upper Baiwas, Sumisip town.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier said it would respect the religious rights of Muslim soldiers and had advised Sabbaha’s unit to divide into small groups to observe Ramadan on a rotation basis.

AFP Southern command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu said operations against the Abu Sayyaf will continue without letup even during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Friday.

Cimatu said the bandits do not deserve "a moment’s lull."

However, the soldiers under Sabbaha insisted on attending prayer activities as a group and walked out on their comrades from the Centurion company under the 33rd Infantry Battalion.

Centurion is made up of a group of 100 elite soldiers whose mission is to comb Basilan’s jungle on foot and search for the bandits still holding American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipina nurse Deborah Yap.

AFP commanders said they ordered the soldiers who had gone AWOL to return to their unit even as they consider possible sanctions against them.

Earlier, Abu Sayyaf leaders Abu Sabaya and Khadaffy Janjalani demanded a temporary halt to military operations in Basilan to allow Muslims to observe Ramadan.

The message was relayed to authorities by one of the female hostages rescued two days ago.

However, Cimatu said the bandits are in no position to make demands.

"Running after criminals like the Abu Sayyaf during Ramadan is not prohibited by the teachings of Islam," he said. "Besides, we are almost there and close to reaching our objectives. Stopping operations now would be unwise."