21 killed in MNLF-Abu Sayyaf clash

MANILA, Philippines—More than 20 people were killed and several others were wounded, following the clash that erupted between members of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu Sunday, police said Monday.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, Sulu Police provincial director, said 13 people were said to have been killed from the ASG side, while eight were recorded from the MNLF side after the fire fight that ensued along Kabbun Takas in Sulu.

Three MNLF members were also wounded, he said.

The fight transpired after Rolando Letrero and Ramilito Vela—the TV crew of Jordanian reporter Baker Atyani—who were kidnapped last year, were released.

Letrero and Vela were retrieved from a hotel in Sulu around 10 p.m. Saturday.

The victims were taken to Zamboanga City, then to Metro Manila.

He said roughly 200 ASG members joined the fight, while 700 to 1,000 were from the MNLF.

“Nagkalapitan na siguro itong mga ‘to (They fought in close range),” Freyra said.