Suspected Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Basilan clash

A suspected sub-leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf was killed following an early morning clash with government security forces in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, the chief of the Philippine Army said Tuesday. In a text message to reporters, Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said around 5 a.m., operating troops swooped on the bandit group headed by sub-leader Suhud Tanadjalin in Barangay Lower Sinangkapan in the municipality of Tuburan. A firefight then ensued and lasted for about 3 minutes, resulting in the death of Tanadjalin, Ortiz said. Three of the slain bandit leader, however, managed to escape. No casualties were reported on the government side, Ortiz said. He added that an M653 assault rifle was recovered by the operating troops. The Abu Sayyaf has been largely blamed for the spate of bombing and kidnapping incidents not only in southern Philippines, but also in Metro Manila. Since early 2000, American troops have been going in and out of southern Philippines purportedly to train their Filipino counterparts in addressing the terrorist threat in the volatile region. The continued stay of the US troops, however, has elicited criticisms from leftist groups, who claimed that foreign troops going after local armed groups violates the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Both Philippine and US officials, however, maintained that American troops are not directly taking part in combat operations in the country. — RSJ, GMA News