4 Sayyaf rebels killed, 6 captured

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed and six captured yesterday as Army Scout Rangers chased the fleeing bandits to Upper Matikang near Kumalarang in Basilan.

A soldier was also wounded in the ensuing firefight.

Army Capt. Noel Detoyato, deputy spokesman for the military’s Southern Command, said the six terrorists were captured around 11 a.m. by troops from the 10th Scout Ranger Battalion under Capt. Harold Cabunoc.

"They were trying to cross the river to slip back to Sampinit Complex," Detoyato said. "They were fleeing while the rest of their companions engaged the pursuing troops."

The six captured Abu Sayyaf bandits are undergoing interrogation at the Scout Ranger headquarters, he added.

Detoyato said the troops had not seen American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipina nurse Deborah Yap in the scene of fighting.

The bandits were on the run from pursuing troops and were trying to get to Makiri, he added.

Col. Alexander Aleo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said Army troops have thrown a security net around the hinterlands of Basilan to prevent the Abu Sayyaf bandits from escaping.

"In placing layers of security, photographs and sketches of Abu Sayyaf hardcore and of other identified members were circulated among the soldiers and civilians so that they could be captured on sight," he said.

"Members of the Abu Sayyaf, especially new recruits are difficult to identify. However, we know the leaders and hardcores... so they cannot get out of their camps unnoticed," he said.

Aleo said the following Abu Sayyaf leaders could easily be identified: Khadaffy Janjalani, Abu Sabaya, Hamsirali Sali, Isnilon Hapilon and Bakkal Hapilon.

"It is not known whether they are staying together in one place, except for (Isnilon) whose group is taking custody of American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Deborah Yap," he said.

"Even if these bandits would not be immediately identified and had passed through the first security layer, it would be difficult for them not to be apprehended after several layers of operating troops on guard in the hinterlands."

Detoyato said in the latest fighting in Lantawan, there were signs that the Abu Sayyaf had brought the Burnhams and Yap to Barangay Bolanza.

"During that encounter, we have limited the use of MG-520 attack helicopters – there was the possibility (of the Burnham presence)," he said. "We do not discount the possibility that they are there."

Detoyato said Navy commandos and Army Special Forces have been deployed in the mangrove area of Lantawan, while a naval blockade has been put in place.

With help from US troops, Filipino troops are gaining ground, he added.

Since last week, troops clashed with the Abu Sayyaf gangmen in the towns of Lantawan and Tipo-Tipo, and Isabela City after US unmanned surveillance aircraft had spotted them.

Soldiers also captured Abu Sayyaf subcommanders Sonny Teng in Lamitan and Munib Assa in Zamboanga City in the past two weeks.

The two each carried a P1-million bounty on their heads. – Roel Pareño