But the Abu Sayyaf claimed on local dxLL radio here that its fighters had killed 13 soldiers, including three they beheaded, and wounded more than 20 others in sporadic clashes which broke out after the military launched an assault Friday on a rebel lair in Barangay Dondongan in Jolo’s Patikul town.
Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya said most of the soldiers were killed in an ambush. "The soldiers have not learned their lessons, they don’t know the terrain. We might be small in number, but we are ready to die," he said.
Sabaya said more than 300 Abu Sayyaf rebels assaulted the government troopers with assault and 90 mm recoilless rifles.
The military’s Southern Command here said it could not confirm the beheading and stressed that only two soldiers were killed and 23 others wounded in the Friday encounter.
Those killed were identified as Pfc. Ricky Damas, the missing soldier, and Sgt. Dominador Dizon. Those wounded included two junior officers, Second Lieutenants Edgardo Talaroc and Abdulgani Jainal, according to Maj. Gen. Narciso Abaya, commander of the Army’s First Infantry Division in Western Mindanao and head of Task Force Trident.
The offensive was carried out in a continuing bid to rescue American Jeffrey Schilling and Filipino Roland Ullah, the only two remaining captives from among dozens of foreign and local hostages seized by the Abu Sayyaf last year.
Officials said Friday’s offensive was carried out following tips that Abu Sayyaf commanders Galib Andang and Mujib Susukan were spotted hiding in the area. There was, however, no word on the fate of the hostages.
Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, Southern command chief, said he has directed officials to place on standby two MG-520 attack helicopters for possible airstrikes.
"We have our troops maintained in a striking distance against the Abu Sayyaf," Camiling said.
The military said at least three Abu Sayyaf rebels were captured following Friday’s clash.
Besides Schilling and Ullah, the extremist rebels are still holding three other persons captive: Taiwanese trader Steven Chua; Marilyn Tiu, wife of a Zamboanga del Norte merchant; and Norhana Daud, daughter of Tapul Mayor Donnie Tulawie Daud, who was seized for marriage.
Meanwhile, Jolo police arrested 31 people as authorities launched a massive drive to curb proliferation of illegal firearms and drugs in the area.
Officials earlier said many Abu Sayyaf members act as escorts in illegal drug shipments that pass through southern ports. — Roel Pareño