"Meeting engagement" or fighting in extremely
close ranges coupled with detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
caused the huge number of casualties from the military side in Saturday's clash
with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits.
This was confirmed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, adding firing ranges were sometimes
down to only 10 meters.
Short engagement ranges, coupled with the ASG tactics of
using IEDs as early warning devices, and sniping, caused most of the military
casualties.
This took place during the initial part of the engagement,
he added.
Most of the slain and wounded troopers are from the 44th
Infantry Battalion, he added.
Eighteen soldiers and 53 others were wounded in the more
than nine-hour clash between military units and ASG bandits in Barangay
Baguidan, Tipo-Tipo last April 9.
The encounter started 7:55 a.m. and lasted until 5:30 p.m.
There was also an ASG attempt to behead two of the slain
soldiers but these were prevented by covering fire of surviving troops, Padilla
said.
As this develops, the AFP spokesperson said all available
resources like close-air attack aircraft, artillery and armored units were made
available to support the operations against the ASG bandits.
However, poor weather conditions, prompted the cancellation
of the aerial bombardment missions, forcing the military to double its
artillery strikes against ASG positions.
However, the well-entrenched ASG positions which managed to
deflect shell fragments well aside from being covered by vegetation.
Meanwhile, armored units were not able to play their full
role due to the rough and hilly terrain.
But despite these handicaps, troops still went on their
mission, Padilla added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=875266
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