Bomb misses Sayyaf target; soldier killed

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A soldier was reportedly killed and a still undetermined number was wounded when a bomb fired by OV-10 bomber planes on Abu Sayyaf positions on an islet off this city last Thursday afternoon, missed its target and struck a military blocking force.

An officer of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command, however, said a number of Abu Sayyaf members were hit in the initial airstrike on Kabugan Island at about 2:50 p.m.

Kabugan is one of the islets of Eleven Islands, some 60 kilometers off this city’s Curuan district, where Abu Sayyaf members have been for weeks after evading pursuing troops of Task Force Tabak.

The blocking force was positioned on nearby Bugias Island to prevent the extremists from escaping.

Military sources said the airstrike was briefly stopped as the soldiers hit by the wayward bomb had to be pulled out.

Last Wednesday, the military reported that a follower of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon was killed and seven soldiers were wounded when pursuing elements of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion encountered the rebels on Kabugan Island.

Hapilon is one of four Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted by the US government, which has offered a $5-million reward each for their arrest. — Roel Pareño