ASG leader killed in Sulu clash; bandits ‘high’ on drugs – AFP

Young and drug-crazed. This was how the military described most of the estimated 300 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits who engaged Army Scout Rangers in a five-hour gun battle in the jungles of Sulu last Friday afternoon.

The Armed Forces of the Phil- ippines (AFP) placed the death toll at 15 – five on the government side and 10 Al-Qaeda-linked militants, including a notorious ASG sub- leader Hairullah Asbang, the alleged brother- in- law of amputee ASG leader Radulan Sahiron.

At least 28 soldiers and 30 bandits were wounded

in the firefight.

It was the first major encounter of the military against the elusive terrorist group since the government launched full-scale law enforcement operations after the release of two German hostages some three weeks ago.

“The young-looking bandits were very daring and unmindful of our fires. They kept running towards our position despite being hit repeatedly. They were very ferocious and daring,” 1st Lt. Michael Asistores, combat leader of the 1st Scout Ranger Company, was quoted in a statement released by the AFP.

Asistores sustained a shrapnel wound during the encounter. Another soldier – Sgt. Kitong was also injured while trying to carry a critically-wounded soldier to safety.

Asistores believed that the bandits “borrowed” their courage from the marijuana leaves which they smoked before the firefight. Soldiers even recovered marijuana at the encounter site. “They are drug-crazed fighters,” Asistores recalled.

The military said that shortly after noon Friday, members of the elite Scout Rangers crawled stealthily and came as close as 20 meters from the enemy position in their forest lair at the foot of Mt. Tunggul and Bud Bunga in the boundary of Talipao and Patikul towns.

Asistores said troops led by Lt. Dante Espiritu spotted the bandits in a makeshift hut and a fierce gunfight ensued using assault rifles and machineguns.

Unknown to them, at least 300 bandits led by ASG leaders Sahiron alias “Commander Putol”, Asbang, Jurim Hussein, Hatib Sawadjaan and Juli Ekit swooped down from the surrounding hills to aid beleaguered cohorts. This prompted govt troops to radio for reinforcement.

“I could hear Espiritu’s voice over the radio amidst the heavy volumes of fire . . . They were almost surrounded by the enemy,” said Asistores who was only about a hundred meters in their designated rally point.

Having experienced the “pintakasi” (attack from all directions) tactics used by the ASG in Basilan, Asistores said he promptly assembled a platoon to reinforce govt troops.

Attack helicopters arrived later to provide air support prompting the bandits to scamper but ground troops have been deployed to chase the fleeing terrorists.

Meanwhile, Col. Alan Arrojado, the commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, on the other hand, said they have already identified seven of the 10 ASG fatalities and 18 of the wounded bandits.

Arrojado also said that all of the injured soldiers have been evacuated as of Friday night.

President Aquino and AFP Chief Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. expressed their condolences to the bereaved family of the five soldiers. Catapang also ordered the immediate deployment of medical teams, missionessential equipment and additional supplies for the troops.

AFP public affairs office ( PAO) chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the soldiers engaged by the ASG will be awarded the Gold Cross Medal. (With a report from JC Bello Ruiz)