Ten more Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed Friday, raising to 25 the number of Islamic terrorists slain and 16 others wounded the past three days as the military continued its operations using 105mm cannons against the fleeing terror group in Patikul, Sulu.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commanding general of the Sulu Joint Task Group, confirmed Friday night the number of fatalities suffered by the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf which is still holding nine hostages, including a Malaysian and a Korean.
Arrojado said this was the biggest casualties the Abu Sayyaf had suffered.
Earlier, Arrojado reported that 15 bandits under Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders Yasser Igasan and Alhabsy Misaya were killed during an encounter with Joint Task Group Sulu units at Sitio Marang, Barangay Buanza, Indanan town, Sulu Wednesday afternoon.
[Read related story: 15 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Sulu clash]
Army troopers are now pursuing the terrorists in Patikul and Indanan towns where they fled after two Philippine Coast Guard enlisted men held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf since May escaped Thursday following heavy fighting between the soldiers and about 80 Abu Sayyaf bandits.
[Read related story: 2-day AFP offensive helps Coast Guard men escape; MNLF fighters said to have helped ASG]
The two coast guard men, Seaman Second Class Gringo Villaruz and Seaman First Class Rod Allain Pagaling, have been reunited with their families after their great escape at the height of the fighting.
The Abu Sayyaf panicked when government forces attacked their hideout in Patikul, Arrojado said.
He said “the Abu Sayyaf secured their foreign hostages during the fighting that enabled the two coast guard men to escape.”
Arrojado also said he received reports that Radillon Sajiron, the Abu Sayyaf leader in Sulu, is now suffering from diabetes.
“Civilians in Sulu are helping us locate the Abu Sayyaf, making our operation easier,” Arrojado said.
“Tonight, several rounds of 105 howitzers were fired at the fleeing Abu Sayyaf after civilians told us the location of the Abu Sayyaf,” Arrojado added.
He said the operation against the Abu Sayyaf will continue without letup.
Last week, the Abu Sayyaf beheaded Rodolfo Boligao, the village chief of Aliguay, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, after his family failed to pay P1 million ransom.
Boligao, as well as Pagaling and Villaruz, were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in May.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/116409/10-more-abu-sayyaf-killed-as-military-pursues-terrorists-in-sulu
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