Reuters/Manila
Philippine soldiers killed six Muslim guerrillas with ties to the regional Islamic militant network Jemaah Islamiah (JI) during a raid on a major rebel base on a southern island yesterday, a military spokesman said.
Two soldiers were also killed and four wounded in heavy fighting between marine troops and about 150 rebels from the Abu Sayyaf for control of a guerrilla base near Indanan town on Jolo island, Lieutenant-Colonel Edgard Arevalo told reporters.
The Philippines has stepped up its offensive on the Abu Sayyaf to stop the group’s kidnap-for-ransom activities in the south after Washington raised concerns over Islamic militant threats in the region.
Soldiers stumbled upon the rebel base after they received orders to intensify searches for Italian Red Cross engineer Eugenio Vagni, who enters his sixth month of captivity next week.
Arevalo said two Indonesian militants, Umar Patek and Dulmatin, key suspects in the 2002 Bali bombings, were seen at the rebel camp.
Fighting was still going on at the rebel base, Arevalo said.
“Our casualties were hit by booby traps and landmines laid by the rebels to defend their base,” Arevalo said, adding Vagni was not sighted in the guerrilla camp.
“There’s an unusual number of rebels in the area. All the top Abu Sayyaf leaders are there. We suspect they might be planning a big offensive.” |
