MNLF commander: 2 Abu camps captured, but no Atyani

From the Philippine Star (Feb 8): MNLF commander: 2 Abu camps captured, but no Atyani

Fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have overran two camps of the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of Patikul, Sulu, but they have not sighted Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani.

MNLF commander Ustadz Habier Malik made the statement amid rumors circulating in Sulu province that Atyani has already been released by the Abu Sayyaf and has already returned to his country.

"Na-occupy na namin ang kanilang stronghold pero hindi naakita ng puwersa si Atyani," Malik told reporters in a teleconference.

He said that they were able to capture the first Abu Sayyaf camp, Kuta Masarin, under Habib Hajan Sawajaan, on the first day of their offensive against the bandits.

Malik said the second Abu Sayyaf camp was overrun on the fourth day of the offensive. He said they had information that the Abu Sayyaf kept Atyani in the second camp.

“There are reports na nakabalik na siya sa kanyang bansa, pero ito ay haka-haka lang at ayaw namin magbigay ng information na haka-haka lang,” Malik said.

There are rumors around Sulu that a day before the encounter between the MNLF and the Abu Sayyaf on Sunday, six gunmen wearing balaclavas on board a speed boat beached at Sitio Parang Parang Quezon Beach in Barangay Maglibak in Patikul town.

According to the rumors, another speedboat arrived in the area and handed over bags, which allegedly contained cash, to the gunmen. The gunmen, in return, turned over a foreign-looking guy.

There were speculations that the foreign-looking guy was Atyani.

Death toll

Malik, meanwhile, clarified that his group suffered only eight fatalities with one fighter beheaded. Earlier reports said that seven MNLF fighters were beheaded by the bandits. He claimed that the Abu Sayyaf suffered 21 fatalities.

Malik said the fighting ceased after the Abu Sayyaf bandits split into small groups. He said the bandits have escaped to the nearby towns of Luuk and Kalinggalang Kaluang.

Malik said his forces were still monitoring the whereabouts of the Abu Sayyaf members that figured in the encounter.

He said that he has also asked MNLF leaders to approach the relatives of the Abu Sayyaf bandits and explain to them the circumstances behind the operations.

“Ipinaliwanag namin sa kanila ang nangyari ay para sa kabutihan ng lahat. Inutusan namin ang maraming leaders na magharap sa kanila at pag-usapan na itigil na ang activity,” Malik said.

Malik appealed to the relatives and families of the Abu Sayyaf group involved in the kidnapping activity in Sulu not to condone the activity.

The MNLF commander said that they were forced to launch the offensive after the Abu Sayyaf declined to release their hostages.

He added that the aim of the operation was not to occupy the camps of the Abu Sayyaf, but to try to stop the bandit group's kidnapping activity.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/08/906428/mnlf-commander-2-abu-camps-captured-no-atyani