An ongoing firefight in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, between
police’s Special Action Forces (SAF) and Criminal Investigation Detection Group
(CIDG) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao against lawless elements has
resulted so far to many casualties from both sides.
An initial report from the Maguindanao police said an
undetermined number of lawless elements engaged members of the SAF and CIDG who
were conducting law enforcement operations in barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano,
on Sunday dawn to get Abdul Basit Usman, who is included in the US-list of most
wanted terrorists and carries a US$ one million dollar reward on his head.
Usman, a Filipino citizen trained on bomb making in Afghanistan , has links with the Abu Sayyaf Group
and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist organizations operating in southern Philippines
Usman, who is last reported to be in hiding in Central Mindanao , has long been wanted by authorities for
his role in multiple bombing incidents since 2003.
In an interview by DXMY radio station here, Von Al Haq, Moro
Islamic Liberation Front spokesman, placed the number of casualties at 27 body
counts.
Reports added that at least 8 other members of the police
raiding team are currently being held by the lawless elements.
Members of the Malaysian – led International Monitoring Team
and joint GRP-MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities are
now in the area to disengage the combatants.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=728962
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