3 Sayyaf ‘allies’ killed in Basilan clash — Army

Three members of an armed group associated with the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf were killed in an encounter with government forces at a remote village in Sumisip town in Basilan province on Sunday. A soldier was wounded in the clash that occurred at 8:30 a.m. at the vicinity of Etub-Etub village, said Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz. He said the clash erupted after troops from the elite 12th and 14th Scout Ranger Battalions caught up with at least 20 members of the “local lawless elements" while on a security operation at the area. Ortiz said the fighting lasted for 30 minutes until the armed men, believed to be led by Abdulbaki Ismanul alias Kumander Sahili, and Nurrodin Mudalam alias Kumander Not, withdrew aboard three motorized bancas toward Saluping island in Tabuan Lasa town, also in Basilan. Ortiz said the troops recovered the bodies of the slain enemies and two M16 rifles after the fighting. One of the operating troops suffered a fractured limb, Ortiz said without elaborating. Ortiz said the armed group was linked with the Abu Sayyaf, which is blamed for a number of bombings and kidnappings in the country, by providing “logistical requirement" to the bandit group. — KBK, GMA News