2 Abus slain in Basilan firefight

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two Abu Sayyaf militants were killed while another was wounded in an encounter with Army troops in a village in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Thursday morning, the military said.

Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, commander of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said they are verifying reports that one of those killed was a certain Commander Long Malat Solaiman.

Dolorfino said the 30-minute firefight was preceded by the Abu Sayyaf attack on soldiers patrolling the village of Bohe Lebbung, killing three members of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion Thursday morning.

Dolorfino said soldiers from a nearby detachment fired five rounds of 60-mm mortars that killed the two militants and wounded another.

“We are verifying reports that one of those killed was a leader of the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.

Dolorfino said what happened was a chance encounter than a diversionary attack as the militants have been eluding combat with government troops.