7 Abus, 3 Marines slain in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Seven Abu Sayyaf bandits and three Marines were killed in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu yesterday.

The military said three other soldiers were wounded  in the encounter.

The identities of the slain soldiers were withheld pending notification of their immediate families. The wounded were brought to a hospital at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Busbus, Jolo.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said soldiers who conducted pursuit operations recovered the body of one of the slain bandits as well as his M14 rifle and several rounds of ammunition.

“A number of severely wounded bandits... could have died due to loss of blood,” Besana said.

He said soldiers of the 61st, 62nd and 64th Marine Companies clashed with the bandits led by Alnijar Ekit and Aldi Alun.

”Twelve persons for identification were apprehended amid the exchange of gunfires. They are being interrogated by the troops,” Besana said.

Armed Forces of the Philiippines chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said there is no letup in military offensives to neutralize Abu Sayyaf bandits and rescue the remaining hostages. 

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding a Dutch man, a Vietnamese and eight Filipinos.

9 BIFF men surrender

In Maguindanao, nine members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered in General SK Pendatun town also yesterday.

The BIFF members led by Parido Balabagan, alias Banog, turned over assorted firearms, grenade and rocket launchers and two .50 caliber Barrett rifles to the 6th Infantry Division (ID), according to Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana.

More than 20 BIFF men have surrendered to the 6th ID in the past few months.

Sobejana said they expect more BIFF bandits to surrender with the intercession of local and military officials. – With Michael Punongbayan, John Unson