Government soldiers killed at least 2 Abu Sayyaf rebels in fierce gun battle Sunday in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials said.
Army Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, a spokesman for the Philippine military, said the fighting – that lasted seven hours - also wounded 6 soldiers and at least 2 rebels. He said 5 civilians were also shot and wounded by rebels as they flee from pursuing soldiers in the village of Kuhon in Al-Barka town.
He said soldiers rescued the wounded civilians and rushed them to hospital as troops, backed by MG MD 520 helicopters, pursued the rebels under Abu Sayyaf leader Basir Kasaran.
“The bandits shot five civilians as they fled. The soldiers heroically rescued them amidst the heavy fighting and transported them to a hospital. Six soldiers were wounded in the seven-hour sporadic fighting that started at about 5:45 a.m. in Al-Barka. Two Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while two others wounded in the clash,” Cabunoc said.
He said one of the air force helicopters was hit by enemy fire during the operation, but no serious damage was reported. “We also commend the heroic pilots of MG MD 520 attack helicopter that was hit by enemy fire while providing close air support. They are hero pilots,” said.
Marine Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the fighting erupted in the village of Kuhon. “The encounter is a result of the persistent efforts of the Task Force Kasanyangan,” she said.
She said the task force aims to address the prevailing insurgency problem and revive governance in the town, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf.
But the larger group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a peace deal with Manila last year, is also active in the town, scene of deadly clashes between MILF rebels and government troops in the past.
It was unknown if MILF forces were aiding security forces in battling the Abu Sayyaf.
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