Marines kill 4 suspected Abus

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Four suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf were killed in clashes with government troops on Saturday and Sunday, a belated report from the Sulu police said.

According to Sulu police chief Senior Supt. Abraham Orbita, aside from the four terrorists killed, “there were reports that five others were wounded.”

Orbita identified one of those slain as Rakib Jal.

He said the clashes began Saturday morning in Barangay Mabahay, Talipao town, when Marines engaged the Abu Sayyaf members in a firefight.

Backed by village militias, the Marines launched an assault after several terrorists were monitored in their jungle lair near Talipao on Jolo island, Marine brigade commander Col. Jose Cenabre said.

In a phone interview, Orbita said the Marines “deployed personnel to secure the main roads (that might be used) for exits and entries, constricting all movements within the Talipao area and ensuring no spillover to other towns.”

On Sunday morning, he said, the Marines again clashed with the Abu Sayyaf under Sibih Pisih and Idang Susukan while the government troops were clearing the captured encampment of booby traps and searching for homemade bombs and rebel documents.

The clash left four Abu Sayyaf members dead, Orbita said, while six village militiamen on the side of theMarines were wounded.

Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City Police Office received a report from the Ciudad Medical Center that two male patients with gunshot wounds were admitted Sunday night.

The two were identified as Niko Minuddin, 22, and Sabor Sasapan, both residents of Talipao and members of the Barangay Peace Action Team.

According to the two, Marines led by Lt. Col. Romulo Quemado conducted an operation in Mabahay against suspected Abu Sayyaf members, but were instead seen 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.