PNP-ARMM assures no spill over in ASG-MNLF fighting in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): PNP-ARMM assures no spill over in ASG-MNLF fighting in Sulu

Police officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Monday assured there are efforts to prevent any spill over to other areas of the on-going skirmishes between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Abu Sayyaf (ASG) bandits in the town of Patikul in Sulu.

"The fighting between MNLF and Abu Sayyaf is confined to a hinterland area and far from residential areas," Senior Supt. Noel delos Reyes, ARMM police regional director, told reporters here. Quoting a report from Senior Supt. Antonio Freyra, Sulu police provincial director, Delos Reyes said at least 20 people from both the MNLF and ASG have been killed following the fighting which started Saturday night.

Acting Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman also ordered all mayors in the island province to help prevent the spread of hostilities to other communities.

The hostilities started Saturday, when MNLF members, led by Ustadz Habier Malik, tried to rescue Jordanian TV reporter Baker Atyani from his Abu Sayyaf captors. Earlier, Malik and the kidnappers have agreed to turn over the two Filipino TV crews who accompanied the Jordanian reporter to the MNLF. Instead, ASG handed over the two to other groups that angered Malik.

Following the firefight, several families have fled to safer grounds for fear the conflict might escalate. Hataman said Governor Sakur Tan has directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to attend to the needs of displaced families.

Delos Santos said 13 ASG members were confirmed dead while the MNLF suffered eight casualties. About three other MNLF were also wounded.

Citing intelligence reports, Delos Reyes said about 1,000 MNLF are now engaged with about 200 Abu Sayyaf members and the fighting was "very close." He said the police and the military will not intervene in the conflict but will act once the skirmishes would affect civilians.

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