AFP probes MILF’s ‘aiding’ of Abu men in latest Basilan clash

09/27/2007

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now investigating reports of the supposed reinforcement of Abu Sayyaf bandits by a group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters during a clash with elite Army troopers in Basilan last Tuesday where two soldiers were killed and 10 others were wounded.

AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. yesterday confirmed the death of the two soldiers and the wounding of 10 other troopers and a militiaman during encounter. The military also claimed that 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed but failed to recover their remains.

The clashes in Silangkom village, Ungkaya Pukan town broke a month-long lull in the fighting in Basilan where troops are running after the suspects in the beheading of 10 of 14 Marines slain during a clash with the MILF in Al-Barka town last July 10.

Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, commander of the Special Forces Regiment (SFR) disclosed that the fatalities include one soldier from the SFR and another from the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) while the 10 wounded were all from the Scout Rangers.

He said the first clash took place at 7:45 a.m., in Ungkaya Pukan between members of the Army’s 9th Special Forces Company.

The second clash happened past 1 p.m. also in Ungkaya Pukan. This time, the gunbattle involved Army Scout Rangers and the bandits.

At 2:40 p.m., combined elements of the Special Forces Company and the Scout Rangers fought it out with the Abu Sayyaf men in the same area.

The clash lasted until 6 p.m.

Ortiz said Abu Sayyaf reinforcements responded from different areas and they were not sure if they were protecting a high-value target.

“Our troops saw the bodies of the slain Abu Sayyaf rebels being carried away by their comrades as they retreated,” Mapagu said in a separate interview.

The identities of the fatalities are still being verified by the AFP and are still being withheld as of press time.

“We are verifying the matter of the involvement of the MILF. But until then, we want to have that validated and, if necessary, file some complaints with the joint CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities) if there is indeed a basis for doing so,” he said.

“It’s because of the number of the suspected Abu Sayyaf (that the troops engaged),” he explained, saying, “If that’s more than 50 to 80, then, there’s basis to conclude that there might be other lawless elements involved and we want to validate that.”

The CCCH oversees the ceasefire between the military and the MILF, which is engaged in peace talks with the government.

Esperon noted as earlier agreed upon, the MILF will stay in Ginanta village in Al-Barka town to give way to pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

He said the troops were composed of elements of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion on a test mission, supported by the 9th Special Forces Company.

“United States forces, with night-capable equipment, had to be called in from Zamboanga City to help evacuate the wounded soldiers,” Esperon said.

He added troops are also verifying reports that Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama, who was reportedly killed in an encounter last Aug. 18, also in Silangkom, is alive and had led the extremists during the encounter.

Esperon said they are still verifying reports to determine if Indama was wounded or one of the casualties in the Aug. 18 clash.

During the Aug. 18 encounter, at least 15 Marines and an Air Force pilot were killed. The pilot was killed when his helicopter crashed after reinforcing the troops.

The military has not encountered the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu since Aug. 27 when they fired mortar rounds on rebel positions in Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan.

Gina Peralta-Elorde with AFP

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