Marine dies in raid on Sayyaf hideout

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A Marine trooper was killed and eight others were wounded when government troops raided the Abu Sayyaf’s jungle hideout yesterday in Patikul town in Sulu.

The raid occurred as US Pacific Command chief Adm. Thomas Fargo arrived here for anti-terrorism talks with Armed Forces Chief Gen. Narciso Abaya.

Brig. Gen. Renato Miranda, Marine Forces South commander, said the wounded Marines were immediately extricated from the scene and would be airlifted to Southern Command hospital in Zamboanga City.

Sulu military commander Brig. Gen. Romeo Tolentino said a number of rebels might have also been killed in the fighting based on field reports, although troops have not recovered any bodies.

"Troops are pursuing them and sporadic fighting still continues in Patikul," he said.

Miranda said troops from the 39th Marine Company under the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 have inflicted "undetermined casualties" on the fleeing Abu Sayyaf band.

"Our troops initiated the attack, they pounced on the Abu Sayyaf position who are under the leadership of Radulan Sahiron," he said.

Miranda said a running gunbattle ensued as the bandits fled with their casualties and tried to deter the advancing Marines with weapons fire.

"The offensive is ongoing as the troops are pursuing the fleeing Abu Sayyaf," he said.

Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said radio messages intercepted from the bandits indicated that the slain gunmen could have been dragged along by their comrades. – Roel Pareño, AFP