In honor of the 18 troopers who have fallen in battle trying
to eliminate the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) bandits in Basilan Saturday, all flags in
military camps nationwide were flown at half-mast Monday.
"Flags are flown at half-mast to mourn the death of our
soldiers...our heroes who offered the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, last
Saturday, our National Day of Valor, in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan in a day-long
encounter against elements of the kidnap-for-ransom-group ASG. We fly it at
half-mast to honor their gallantry and sacrifice," Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
Around 18 troopers and 53 others were wounded in a more than
nine-hour encounter with ASG bandits in Sitio Bayoko, Baguindan last April 9
which started 7:55 a.m. and ended at 5:30 p.m.
Appropriate honors and benefits will be given to all
military casualties.
The high number of military casualties can be attributed to
the ASG's use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or crew-served weapons
during the initial stage of the clash.
The number of ASG forces encountered by the troopers was
initially estimated to be around or over 100.
Confirmed numbers of bandits killed in the operation is
placed at five including Moroccan terrorist and IED expert Mohammad Khattab who
is in the country for three years and trying to act as a conduit between a
"Middle East international terrorist
group".
Army Chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano said Khattab's presence was
detected in the country last year.
Meanwhile, around 20 rebels were wounded in the clash
including ASG leader Radzmil Jannatul alias 'Kubayb'.
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