ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Abu Sayyaf has split into smaller groups as a tactical manoeuvre against the bigger forces of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which is preparing a major assault, a ranking MNLF official said yesterday.
Habib Muadjahab Hashim, one of the MNLF senior leaders of the central committee and chairman of the Islamic Command Council, said villagers in the area of Patikul, Sulu have refused to return home for fear of getting caught in the clashes between the MNLF and Abu Sayyaf.
Hashim said there are fears among the villagers that the Abu Sayyaf is splitting into smaller groups to escalate the hostility and to be less visible against the bigger MNLF.
MNLF forces under Habier Malik have grouped in Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul town near the jungle lair of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron since Tuesday after fighting halted and left more than 30 dead on both sides.
Hashim said hundreds of MNLF forces under Malik are gearing up for “a final assault” against the Abu Sayyaf.
At the same time, Hashim denied reports that they rescued three foreign hostages from the Abu Sayyaf during the clashes.
A certain Emmanuel Fontanilla, who identified himself as spokesman for the MNLF, reportedly announced over a Manila-based radio station that they rescued three foreigners from the Abu Sayyaf.
Fontanilla also claimed fatalities in the conflict have risen to 31, consisting of eight MNLF members and 23 Abu Sayyaf militants. He also revealed that at least nine Abu Sayyaf bandits and seven MNLF fighters have been wounded in the latest clashes.
“Hopefully it was true but there is no such report of rescued foreign captives by the MNLF forces under Ustadz Habier Malik,” Hashim said.
Hashim also denied having a certain Fontanilla as spokesman for the MNLF.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief General Emmanuel Bautista also denied the reports.
Bautista also belied reports that more fighting occurred after last Sunday’s clash.
“We have not received such report. We just came from Jolo and the fighting happened there Sunday morning. No fighting occurred after that,” Bautista told radio dzRH.
Bautista said he does not know who this Fontanilla is. “This is the first time I heard that name,” he said.
Bautista also denied Fontanilla’s statement that the MNLF overran a camp of the Abu Sayyaf.
He said soldiers are in the area on a mission to implement measures to prevent a spillover of the conflict.
“We are also helping the evacuees together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the local government,” Bautista said.
Authorities said there are five foreigners still held in Sulu: Elwold Horn from Holland, Lorenzo Vinceguerre of Switzerland, Australian Warren Richard Rodwell, Jordanian Baker Abdulla Atyani, and Japanese Toshio Ito.
Horn and Vinceguerre, both wild bird watchers, were taken on February 1, 2012 in Tawi-Tawi; Rodwell was seized from his house in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on December 5, 2011; Atyani and his two Filipino companions were snatched in June 2012; and Toshio, who is considered to be the longest foreigner held captive by the Abu Sayyaf, was taken in July 2010.
Atyani’s companions Rolando Letrero and Ramelito Vela were freed by the Abu Sayyaf last Saturday but the MNLF failed to secure the freedom of Atyani.
Hashim said the MNLF forces under Malik are still in the area preparing to lay siege on the Abu Sayyaf to free Atyani.
The Philippine star
