MANILA: Two Abu Sayyaf commanders survived a military offensive that killed eight militants and led to the seizure of their jungle lair and bomb materials in a remote village in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, officials said.
The assault by more than 100 Army troops targeted Isnilon Hapilon and Furuji Indama — suspects in the kidnapping of a former Australian soldier freed last month — in Barangay Silangkum. The leaders, however, managed to escape and were still being hunted by government forces, Army brigade commander Colonel Carlito Galvez said. At least three soldiers were wounded in the main assault and two gunbattles with about 30 Abu Sayyaf gunmen. Troops overran the bandit lair, where they found bomb-making materials and equipment, along with sniper rifle parts, Galvez said.
Washington has offered a $5m reward for the capture or killing of Hapilon, who has been accused of involvement in deadly bomb attacks, kidnappings and beheadings, including of Americans in the past, landing him on the most wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Indama is also wanted for his alleged involvement in deadly bombings and kidnappings of several people, including Australian Warren Rodwell who was freed last month after 15 months in jungle captivity and payment of ransom.
Indama has been blamed for the 2007 beheadings of 10 Marines in Basilan, a widely condemned atrocity that prompted a major military offensive against the bandit group.
Galvez said Hapilon and Indama are also accused of trying to sabotage infrastructure projects, including the construction of a road and a power barge, and of trying to extort money from several business firms.
“Both their signatures appeared on the extortion letters,” he said.
Lieutenant General Rey Ardo, commanding general of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the troops also pre-empted the plan of the bandit group to stage bomb attacks.
Ardo said the troops from the Light Reaction Company (LRC) and Army Scout Rangers recovered electronic parts, circuitry, wires, alligator clips, digital clocks, and other electronic equipment contained in a plastic toolbox.
Ardo said the camp was used by the Abu Sayyaf to train its followers in bomb-making and demolition. “Troops were searching the area for possible IED (improvised explosive device) which the Abu Sayyaf might have assembled,” Ardo said. The attack took place near an encampment of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf), the largest Muslim rebel group in the country with which the government has been negotiating a peace accord. THE PHILIPPINE STAR
