The Philippine military on Wednesday said troops killed 2 Abu Sayyaf militants in gunfight in Patikul town in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in
It said the soldiers from the 35th and 21st
infantry battalions clashed Tuesday with about 30 militants under Abu Sayyaf
sub-leaders Jamiri Jawhari and Basaron Arok in Danag village.
A security spokesman, quoting reports from civilians in the
village, claimed the bodies of slain militants were taken by their companions
and that many others had been wounded in the clash.
But there were no civilians in the area because villagers
had fled their homes for fear they would be caught up in the crossfire or
mistaken for militants. The military said the operations against the Abu Sayyaf
were continuing and that over 30 gunmen had been killed since the offensive
against the notorious group began last month.
Many civilians in the town have armed themselves and joined
the government-backed militia group called Barangay Police Action Team (BPAT)
originally organized during the time of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and
Sulu Governor Sakur Tan to protect civilian communities from Abu Sayyaf
atrocities.
The incumbent Governor Toto Tan said he will help BPAT
members secure permits for their weapons and told them to strictly follow the
law and use their firearms to secure and protect their villages against Abu
Sayyaf attacks.
Many towns also have its own BPAT which is being supervised
by their mayors and police authorities.
Civilians have been providing authorities with information
on the Abu Sayyaf and are supporting the government action against the militant
group, blamed by the police and military for the spate of brutal killings of
innocent people and ransom kidnappings in the restive region.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/2-sayyafs-killed-in-latest-fighting-in-philippines/
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