Abu Sayyaf group. AP FILE PHOTO
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Four suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed in clashes with government troops on Saturday and Sunday, according to a belated report from the Sulu police.
Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, Sulu police chief, said aside from the four bandits killed, “there were reports that five were wounded.”
He identified one of the slain bandits as Rakib Jal.
He said the clashes started Saturday morning in the village of Mabahay in Talipao town, when Marine soldiers engaged some Abu Sayyaf members in a firefight.
“We also deployed our own personnel to secure the main roads for exits and entries, constricting all movements within the Talipao area and to ensure no spill over to other towns,” Orbita told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.
On Sunday morning, Orbita said, Marine soldiers again clashed with the ASG under Sibih Pisih and Idang Susukan.
“And they were able to secure the bandits’ stronghold in Mabahay area,” he said.
While doing clearing operations, the soldiers again clashed with the bandits, leaving four ASG members killed.
As this developed, the Zamboanga City Police Office received a report from a security personnel from Ciudad Medical Center that there were two male patients admitted on Sunday night.
The patients, who had gunshot wounds, were identified as Niko Minuddin, 22 and Sabor Sasapan, both residents of Talipao town and members of the Barangay (village) Peace Action Team (BPAT).
The two said Marine soldiers led by Lt. Colonel Romulo Quemado conducted an operation in Mabahay village against suspected Abu Sayyaf members, but were instead shooting at innocent civilians.
The wounded civilians were airlifted to the Western Mindanao Command, and later transferred to the Ciudad Medical Center for further treatment.
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