18 Abu bandits slain in Basilan clashes – AFP

Troops killed 18 Abu Sayyaf bandits in a series of clashes in Basilan last week.

Speaking to reporters, Armed orces spokesman aj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. yesterday said the figures are based on reports that the Western indanao Command (Wesmincom) had obtained.

“The reports state that 18 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed and 14 were wounded and these are all reports received from the ground,” he said

The shootouts also wounded 14 Abu Sayyaf terrorists, Tutaan said.

In a text message, Wesmincom commander Lt. Gen. ustico Guerrero said the figures are based on “consolidated information” that they received from field sources.

“It’s difficult to confirm this on the ground. But the number denotes more or less the extent of the Abu Sayyaf’s presence in the areas where the encounters took place,” he said

Tutaan said two soldiers were killed and 31 others were wounded during the fighting that lasted for hours.

“Of the 31 wounded, about 25 or 26 sustained superficial wounds,” he said.

Last week, troops in Basilan attacked the Abu Sayyaf after receiving reports of their extortion activities.

Three Army officers – a colonel, a captain and a lieutenant – were among those wounded during the clash with the band of Abu Sayyaf commanders Nurhasan Jamiri, Bashir Kasaran, Ibrahim alat and uruji Indama.

Tutaan denied that some commanders of the oro Islamic Liberation ront ( IL ) had assisted the Abu Sayyaf in fighting troops last week.

“They can be former IL members who broke away from the IL and engaged in criminal activities. It’s not correct to say it’s IL per se,” he said.

Tutaan said the Army’s 104th brigade is coordinating with the IL 114th base Command in running after the Abu Sayyaf.

When asked if IL members would turn over bandits seeking refuge in their community, Tutaan said “I believe they will. Yes, if they are members of IL .”

Sources said some IL commanders had been dragged into the clashes as most of the Abu Sayyaf bandits are their relatives.

Last month, the government and the IL signed a peace deal. –