It could have turned out to be another disastrous chapter in the history of the Philippine Army's Special Operations Command (SOCOM), or maybe a repeat of the deadly 2011 Al-Barka carnage if not for the quick reinforcement and air support provided to a platoon of Scout Rangers that was almost overwhelmed by more than 300 heavily-armed members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu.
"The enemy wanted to annihilate Espiritu's platoon through encirclement and constriction tactics, so they attempted to surround our troops. I positioned my platoon about 50 meters behind the bandits and waded into the fray," 1st Lt. Michael Asistores, commander of the 1st Scout Ranger Company, said.
Asistores was in touch with the platoon of Lt. Dante Espiritu, who had first engaged the bandits at around 2 p.m. Friday at the foot of Mt. Tunggul and Bud Bunga at boundary of Talipao and Patikul towns.
By the time Asistores' platoon reached the killing zone, two or three of Espiritu's men were already dead, with some wounded. The reinforcement platoon had two things to do: Extricate the dead and wounded for first aid at a secure place, while the rest of the team must face and engage the enemy.
Col. Allan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, subsequently informed that one of the wounded bandits expired, bringing to 10 the number of ASG fighters killed, and the updated number of wounded to 15.
All in all, the Army suffered 5 killed and 26 wounded while the ASG had 10 dead and 15 wounded.
The number of soldiers who died was lower compared to the 19 killed, some of them mutilated, in the day-long combat on October 18, 2011 in Al barka, Basilan between more than 80 Special Forces men and around 400 heavily-armed combined Abu Sayyaf and rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters. The Special Forces team suffered 14 wounded.
Enemy all around
On Friday, before the contact, Espiritu's platoon managed to approach within 20 meters from the ASG's nearest makeshift hut around noon.
The troops, however, were not fully aware that in the surrounding hills nearby were at least 300 bandits led by ASG sub-leaders Radulan Sahiron alias "Commander Putol", Hairullah Asbang, Jurim Hussein, Hatib Sawadjaan and Julie Ekit.
"It was my reconnaissance team, led by Espiritu, who spotted the bandits in the makeshift hut. He radioed that they would initiate contact as one of the bandits unknowingly approached their position of concealment in order to relieve himself," Asistores said.
"Espiritu could no longer wait, as the enemy who was going to relieve himself was close to stepping on them at near point-blank range. He had no more choice, so he gave the order to engage," said Asistores.
When the automatic rifle and machine gun fire erupted, all the surrounding bandits rushed into the killing zone, and Espiritu lost no time calling for reinforcement after two of his patrol members were wounded.
"I could hear Espiritu's voice over the radio amid the crack of heavy weapons fire from various directions. They were almost completely surrounded by the enemy," said Asistores who was a scant hundred meters from their designated rally point.
He said he quickly assembled his platoon and rushed into the killing zone.
Dozens of bandits tried to outflank the Espiritu's position but were repulsed by his men.
Drug-crazed enemy
"The young-looking bandits were very daring and unmindful of our firing. They kept rushing toward our position despite being hit repeatedly. They were very ferocious and daring," he said, as though out of respect for the adversary.
Asistores later said the Abu Sayyaf apparently "borrowed" their courage from the marijuana leaves that they smoked before the firefight. His men recovered some left-over smoked marijuana at the encounter site.
"That helped solve the puzzle about their bravery in combat. They are drug-crazed fighters," he said.
Still, Asistores continued, more bandits kept pouring into the killing zone. This time, he asked for more support from his battalion commander, Lt. Col. Eugene Boquio.
Beginning to run low on ammunition, Espiritu's platoon maneuvered to a secure spot to reload even as Asistores' platoon kept the enemy occupied and at bay.
"Asistores pressed the fight by rallying the remaining soldiers to hold their line and provide covering fire as the casualties were being evacuated," Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, the military's Public Affairs Office chief, said.
He said Asistores was hit by shrapnel from a grenade explosion fired by the bandits but the lieutenant "maintained his composure to inspire his men."
"One of my team leaders, Sgt. Kitong, came to my side and helped me control our remaining troops. He was very concerned when he saw that I was already bloodied," said Asistores.
Conspicuous courage
"I credit my non-commissioned officers for keeping the integrity of my unit. Aside from Sgt. Kitong, my platoon sergeant, Staff Sgt. Tumala, was among those who showed conspicuous courage by running from one team's position to another to provide leadership amidst the volleys of gunfire," he said.
Kitong was among the 26 soldiers wounded during the five-hour firefight. He sustained a gunshot wound on his abdomen when he was trying to carry away one of the critically-wounded team members.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. expressed his condolences to the family members of the five fallen soldiers.
"Please allow me to express my heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones while fighting for the country. I thank them for their selfless service," said Catapang.
Catapang promptly ordered his senior staff officers to send in medical teams, mission-essential equipment and additional supplies for the troops. A C-130 was put on standby to bring them to Sulu Saturday.
He also said that he wanted to recognize the bravery of the Scout Rangers during his visit there next week.
"I want to personally pin the Gold Cross Medals on all the deserving warrior-leaders who displayed conspicuous courage in this particular firefight. Their bravery should be emulated by all soldiers."
Meanwhile, an updated dispatch confirmed the identities of five of the 10 slain members of the Abu Sayyaf.
Lt. Col. Cabunoc said one of them was Beting Jakka.
"Jakka's death during the firefight was confirmed by his wife Suraya Jakka," Cabunoc said.
The Jakka couple were residents of Barangay Upper Sinumaan, Patikul.
Cabunoc said the slain bandit was the brother-in-law of ASG sub-leader Radullan Sahiron.
The second dead bandit was Almon Muin, of Barangay Pansul, Patikul. Muin belonged to the group of ASG sub-leader Hairula Asbanng.
The three others were alias Asahi, of Sitio Kantitap, Barangay Danag, Patikul, who was reportedly buried in place by the group of Sahiron; alias Benhar, of Barangay Tanum, Patikul, who belonged to the group of ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan; and alias Alih, of Barangay Busbus, Jolo, a member of Asbang'g group.
"Alih was a student of the Mindanao State University in Jolo," Cabunoc said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99284/longest-5-hours--quick-talipao-reinforcement-foils-another-al-barka
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