4 Sayyaf bandits killed in Zambo clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Four Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in a clash with government troops escorting a fishing vessel near Eleven island, 70 kms east of this port city, the military said yesterday.

The bandits were in a motor boat and attacked the fishing vessel, triggering a brief firefight that killed all the bandits, who were later learned to be followers of a bandit leader identified only as Abdullah.

Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom) chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko said the encounter came following intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf group were planning to attack commercial fishing boats and abduct businessmen.

He said Army commandos from the 38th and 35th Special Force Company were deployed on board a fishing vessel in response to the intelligence reports.

"There is heightened security in the seas to protect fishing boats from pirates and Abu Sayyaf rebels," said Southcom spokesman Lt. Col. Fredesvindo Covarrubias.

"We are getting information from the fishermen themselves and the military validates these reports and then we take actions to preempt these things from happening," he said.

The fishing vessel carrying the commandos was off Seremon island when it was attacked by the Abu Sayyaf. — Roel Pareño and Mike Frialde