Military bombers pound kidnappers' lair in Zambo Sibugay

(Updated 4:13 p.m.) Backed by light attack aircraft and armored vehicles, soldiers and policemen on Monday scoured a village in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay to go after “heavily armed bandits" led by an individual previously identified with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The operation was launched to arrest a notorious kidnapping group under one Juaning Abdulsalam at Sitio Taib in Barangay Labatan, according to acting Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc. Previous military reports identified Abdulsalam as the head of theSpecial Operations Group of the MILF in the province. He has been linked to the kidnapping of a Filipino-American Gaerfa Lunsman, her 14-year-old son and a Filipino relative in Zamboanga City last July 12. The victims were later turned over to Abu Sayyaf in Basilan. Lunsman was released last Oct. 2. Cabunoc said the operation, participated by about 200 elements from the police and Army, was backed by OV-10 bombers and armored vehicles. “Bombing strikes began at 11:30 a.m. today (Monday)," Cabunoc said. “About 100 heavily armed bandits are holed up in their bunkers and running trenches." Last Friday, seven government security forces — four soldiers and three policemen — were killed in attacks staged by suspected MILF rebels in Alicia and Kabasalan towns. But Cabunoc said Monday's operation was not an act of retaliation against the MILF. He said the offensive was in accordance with Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz’s directive to all his subordinate commanders to “pursue all lawless elements in their respective areas." Cabunoc also ensured that the ceasefire agreement with the MILF will be “strictly observed." Prior to Friday's MILF attack, a clash between government troops and MILF rebels in Basilan left 19 soldiers dead, with the rebels accusing the military of encroaching into their territory. The military said they were going after lawless elements in the area. Cabunoc said the MILF has no recognized territory in Zamboanga Sibugay. - KBK, GMA News