20 Abu Sayyaf, 8 soldiers die in clashes in Philippines

Government troops Monday raised the Philippine flag on a hill at Sitio Talibang in Indanan town on Jolo Island after driving away Abu Sayyaf kidnappers and killing 17 of them, the military said.



Hours later at Indanan`s Bato-bato village, suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen ambushed and killed eight soldiers, including a junior officer, said Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief.



In the ensuing gun battle, the soldiers killed three bandits, he said. The ambush took place at 2 p.m.



The losses at Bato-bato were the worst in the two-day encounter in Indanan in a government assault that began on Sunday when Marines trapped the kidnappers and came under fire.



Dolorfino said around 200 Abu Sayyaf gunmen had gathered in the area, reinforced by 40 fighters from Basilan island.



"The reports were confirmed by barangay intelligence or our assets there," he said.



"We took the opportunity this time and launched offensive action. We cannot actually penetrate the place that is why I ordered the use of air strike," he added.



By 10 a.m. Monday, troops hoisted the Philippine flag. "The bandits were at bay around a 600-meter distance from us," Dolorfino said.



Hostilities broke out on Sunday as residents of the predominantly Muslim island celebrated the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr. Troops were trying to arrest rebel commanders Isnilon Hapilon, Albader Parad and Umbra Jumdail, also known as Dr. Abu.



"Sadly, they put up a fight, so the situation escalated" and the military had to dispatch bomber planes to provide aerial support to the soldiers, said Maj. David Hontiveros, Wesmincom spokesperson.



Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro dismissed charges that the military assault disrespected the Muslims.



"The Abu Sayyaf used Eid al-Fitr as an excuse to regroup and plan their criminal activities in Sulu," Teodoro said. "It`s them, not the government soldiers, who disrespected Eid al-Fitr."



Hideout for Indon bombers?



Washington has offered a $5-million reward for Hapilon, who has been indicted in the United States for alleged involvement in terrorist acts against Americans and others in the Philippines, as well as lesser rewards for the capture of the other two commanders.



The Abu Sayyaf, which has about 400 fighters, has been blamed for numerous bombings, beheadings and kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners. It is believed to have received funds from al-Qaeda and is on a US list of terrorist organizations.



The prevalence of bandits at the village suggests they "were probably guarding high-value targets," Hontiveros said, adding that authorities were trying to determine whether any members of the Indonesian-based militant network Jemaah Islamiyah were at the village.



The Abu Sayyaf is believed to be sheltering Jemaah Islamiyah militants, including Umar Patek and Dulmatin.



The two are suspected of helping mastermind the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202 people, and then fleeing to Mindanao to evade a crackdown in Indonesia.



Search for teachers



In Zamboanga Sibugay province, troops were attempting to track down the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers of teachers Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noemi Mandi of Bangkaw-Bangkaw Elementary School in Naga town, according to Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.



"We still cannot pinpoint where the kidnappers brought the teachers...perhaps because our data gathering efforts are not really enough or because there is lack of cooperation among the people in the community," said the spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.



"Rescue operations are not just for the police and the AFP, we also need the cooperation of the people," Brawner told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo military general headquarters.



With the Abu Sayyaf gang threatening to behead the three hostages unless a P10-million ransom was paid, Brawner said the AFP had already stepped up its intelligence gathering to locate the teachers so it could already start a rescue operation.



"As far as the AFP is concerned, that is all we can do-gather information and launch rescue operations," he said, adding that it was up to the local government executives to initiate talks with the kidnappers for the release of the three teachers.



"Before we launch a rescue operation, we have to make sure that everything is precise including their location," Brawner said. "However, this does not prevent our forces from conducting security patrol."



No negotiations



Brawner also reiterated the AFP stand that it would never negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of the three teachers kidnapped six months ago.



Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, who is in Paris for the meeting of the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization executive board, said Muslim member-countries of Unesco had condemned the continued detention of teachers.



"The Muslim member-states also condemn this violence committed on educators who the whole world exalts as the most noble of missionaries," Lapus said in a message.



In a statement, the Teachers` Dignity Coalition said "the situation now is very critical. We need an immediate solution to this crisis, military or otherwise."



The group also called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to "personally look into the matter."



"The teachers` freedom could be Malacanang`s best gift for us as we celebrate World Teachers` Day on Oct. 5," said Benjo Basas, coalition national chair.



Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network