Death toll in Basilan clashes rises to 7

MANILA, Philippines – Deaths from the sporadic clashes between the government forces and Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan on Friday rose to seven while the number of injured rose to 28.

AFP FILE PHOTO

A report from the Western Mindanao Command on Saturday said that five were killed from the ASG side – one from a group led by Furuji Indama and two from Isilon Hapilon group – Assi Kalitot and Basri Musa.

Wounded government forces also increased to 28, but most of these sustained minor injuries caused by shrapnel. Two were killed in action but were not yet immediately identified pending the notification of their families.

The wounded forces were evacuated to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga.

The government assault was intended for the ASG who was responsible for several cases of kidnapping and extortion. But authorities said the  attack was not related to the search for  the Chinese and Filipino national abducted by the ASG last week in Sabah believed to have been brought to the Philippines.

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