AJLPP News

Mindanao War Update

August 15, 2009



More clashes erupts in Basilan; MILF says it will resist government attacks

Los Angeles- AJLPP news sources in Manila reported that another clash erupted between government security forces and the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan province yesterday afternoon as a top leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the province said elements of the MILF are ready to fight all-out when attacked by government forces.

Yesterday’s encounter resulted in the wounding of one Marine soldier while an undetermined number of bandits were believed to have either been killed or wounded, according to the military.

MILF Website report

The MILF’s Web site Luwaran said the fighting erupted at 4 p.m. between members of the Philippine Marines and Police Special Forces and elements of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sitio Kurellem, Barangay Silangkum, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

Military Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, however, said the gun battle started earlier around 2:25 p.m. along Barangay Pamatsakem in Sumisip town where pursuing government troops caught up with an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Unconfirmed reports said that Abu Sayyaf commander Abugao Bayali was killed during yesterday’s clash. Bayali was tagged as the brains behind the kidnapping of Lea Patris and the ambusher of a Basilan police officer.

"This is part of the continuing law enforcement operations. Just like the guidance of the President during the command conference," Dolorfino said.

Day-long clashes in Tipo-Tipo town, Basilan last Wednesday resulted in the killing of 23 government troops and 31 Abu Sayyaf and members of the MILF.

Wednesday’s clashes also led to the capture of Abu Sayyaf’s main camp in Barangay Silangkum, Tipo-tipo, where huge number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and dozens of high-powered and low-powered firearms were seized during clearing operations.

A small number of residents in the area were forced to evacuate their place during the clash for fear of retaliation from the Abu Sayyaf group.

The government forces pursued the withdrawing ASG fighters and scoured some areas which caused alarm to MILF forces in nearby villages.

The MILF areas must be recognized and given necessary respect particularly by government forces pursuant to the letters, spirit and goodwill of the ongoing government-MILF peace process, according to Luwaran.

Philippine Marines attacked members of the ASG belonging to the Furuji command at Sitio Kurellem, Silangkum, Tipo-Tipo at around 3 am last Aug. 12 but another group of Marines attacked the MILF forces at Sitio Kapayagan, Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo around 7 am, stated Luwaran.

MILF On self-defense mode

The MILF claimed the casualty on the government forces, mostly Marines, is close to 60 troops. On the other hand, it said the MILF suffered 10 killed-in-action, six wounded and one missing.

The MILF also claimed the marines mutilated three dead Muslim rebels. An MILF commander received severe cuts on his neck and his ears were slashed off, while two others had their internal organs gorged out of their bodies.

"We will not leave our areas where we born and raised," said the MILF commander, adding "we are ready to defend ourselves if attack time and again by the Marines and police."

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