Soldier killed in Basilan clash with Abu Sayyaf

A soldier was killed Wednesday in a clash between government security forces and suspected members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in Albarka town in Basilan, a military official said. Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbag said a yet unidentified soldier with the rank of private first class was killed in an encounter with an unidentified number of Abu Sayyaf members around 11:25 a.m. on Wednesday. Cabangbang said the soldier was picked up by a government helicopter to be brought to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City, but may have died along the way. "Sinundo kasi ng helicopter ito, siguro while en route, namatay. Malayo kasi itong area na ito (The soldier was picked up by a helicopter, perhaps he died en route. The area is quite far-flung)," Cabangbang said. Cabangbang did not report any casualty from the Abu Sayyaf, which has been largely blamed for spate of bombing and kidnapping incidents, including of foreign nationals, not only in Mindanao but also in Metro Manila. Last January 9, a Basilan-based leader of Abu Sayyaf group and a member were killed in an encounter with Scout Ranger troops in Tipo-Tipo town in southern Philippines. Another Abu Sayyaf member was captured while a number of high-powered weapons and documents with high intelligence value were recovered following January 9 encounter at Sitio Basak in Barangay Baguindan. — with Jerrie Abella/RSJ, GMANews.TV