AFP launches air strikes in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Air Force planes and helicopters bombed Abu Sayyaf positions early morning yesterday after the terrorists shelled government troops advancing toward their hideout in Patikul town in Sulu.

There were no immediate reports of Abu Sayyaf casualties from the air strikes.

However, a soldier was wounded and many Abu Sayyaf fighters were believed to have been killed in heavy fighting in Barangay Tanum near the four terrorist camps which government troops captured last Thursday.

Fighting was still raging between the two sides last night.

Lt. Col. Fredesvindo Covarrubias, acting spokesman for the Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom), said Army troops from the 14th Infantry Battalion were pursuing a band of terrorists believed led by Khadaffy Janjalani and Radullan Sahiron at around 8:26 a.m. when they were met with heavy mortar fire in the remote barangay.

"One of the troopers was wounded, but the troops believed the (Abu Sayyaf) suffered undetermined number of casualties," he said.

The soldiers were on a mission to rescue three Indonesians being held hostage by a group of bandits led by one Malud Mabili, who is believed to be hiding in Barangay Tanum.

Last month, Mabili’s men boarded an Indonesian barge off the coast of Basilan and kidnapped four officers, one of whom was able to escape.

Three others – Muntu Jacobus Winowatan, Pieter Lerrich, and Zalkifli – remain in captivity.

Sahiron reportedly told the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that they have nothing to do with the kidnapping of the Indonesians.

The Sulu-based Sahiron and his band of terrorists are the object of a military offensive which was launched last week to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf.

Usztad Shariff Julabbi, MILF senior political leader in Western Mindanao, said yesterday Sahiron called him via satellite phone to say that government troops are closing in on them at Patikul town.

"Sahiron has a sizebale (number) of followers who are willing to fight," he said.

Last Saturday, Julabbi fetched from the jungles of Sulu Lydio Castro, a fisherman who has been held hostage for the past seven months without the public knowing about it.

Meanwhile, Covarrubias said the military has asked the proper government authorities to find out whether Julabbi actually belongs to the MILF or any other group in Mindanao.

"Why is it he said the encounter last week was not the group of Sahiron," he said.

"It seems the Abu Sayyaf do not lose a spokesman. It seems they have a new spokesman now who apparently always talk in behalf of the ASG. I think it is high time our authorities to look after this guy, Mr. Julabbi. He is giving very critical and alarming statements." – Roel Pareño, AFP