Sayyaf men kill 3 soldiers

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three soldiers were gunned down by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in a market in Indanan, Sulu yesterday.

The military initially identified the slain troopers as TSgt. Tolentino, Sgt. Crosero and Sgt. Budisma, all assigned with the Fire Artillery Battalion (FAB) of the Philippine Marine Company under the Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 (MBLT) based at Sitio Acacia, Barangay Katian, Indanan town.

The three soldiers were buying chicken in the market when several gunmen opened fire at them, killing them on the spot.

The military said the gunmen are members of the Ajang-Ajang faction of the Abu Sayyaf, known as its assassination squad.

The three Marines brought the number of military fatalities to four, with six wounded.

The military said the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf suffered 22 killed and 16 wounded in the ongoing military offensive since last week.

Elsewhere, 11 members of the separatist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in a clash with government troops on the outskirts of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao yesterday.

Col. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 601st Brigade Command based in the province, said the fighting with the BIFF has spread toward Shariff Aguak town.

The fighting initially broke out at Barangay Kuloy, Datu Unsay at around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday as soldiers were trying to enforce the Army’s security plan over area.

Sobejana said at least 30 to 35 BIFF rebels opened fire on the troops but as fighting dragged on, the number of the rebels swelled to 70 to 80 gunmen.

“Since Wednesday and yesterday, 11 BIFF members were killed and 19 others wounded,” Sobejana said. He said two soldiers were also wounded.

A young girl identified as Fatima Elian was killed in the crossfire, Sobejana said, adding the victim was hit by a rebel sniper.

He said four maneuver battalions under the 6th Infantry Division are involved in the fighting – two conducting blocking operations and the other two battalions pursuing the rebels.