September 8, 2002, The Philippine Star, Troops overrun 2 Abu Sayyaf camps, by Roel Pareño,

September 8, 2002, The Philippine Star, Troops overrun 2 Abu Sayyaf camps, by Roel Pareño,

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government troops overran two camps of the extremist Abu Sayyaf as the military continued its pursuit of the bandits in the jungles of Patikul, military officials said yesterday. 

Meanwhile, government troops were battling combined forces of the Abu Sayyaf since a clash Friday, with the death toll reaching 22 as of yesterday — eight from the military and 14 bandits. 

The military also reported that the bandits' casualty figure was increasing as sporadic clashes resumed in the deep jungles where the Muslim Islamists had fled and sought refuge. 

The official said the bandits had abandoned two separate camps with at least 19 bunkers before they were encountered by elements of the 4th Infantry Battalion Friday. 

At least eight soldiers were killed while seven others were wounded in the fierce gunbattle against combined forces of Khaddafi Janjalani, Radulan Sahiron, and Tahil Sali, a leader of the Misuari Breakaway Group. 

Maj. Gen. Glicerio Sua, the Army's Western Mindanao chief and Task Force Comet commander, said the troops maneuvered towards the eastern portion of Mt. Bagsak in Patikul, where the Abu Sayyaf have been holed out. 

The offensive is part of the operation dubbed as "Oplan Endgame" directed by outgoing AFP chief of staff Gen. Roy Cimatu. 

"This is a very big group that our forces have been confronting," General Sua said. 

The government casualty in this latest encounter was so far the biggest since the military resumed its offensive against the Abu Sayyaf to rescue seven hostages three Indonesian sailors and four Filipina Jehovah's Witnesses preachers. 

Sua said the military suffered at least eight soldiers killed, six of whom were airlifted to the Southern Command while the two others — Moro National Liberation Front integrees and natives of Sulu — were left behind and given Muslim burial rites. 

He said initial reports from the ground intelligence and civilian reports indicated that the Abu Sayyaf incurred 14 killed but believed the figure may be higher. 

"Our troops believed that the casualty figure of the Abu Sayyaf is higher as indicated in the encounter site. Our troops initiated the first contact of the firefight but the Abu Sayyaf group is big so we suffered that number (of fatalities)," Sua said. 

"We have massed up our troops in that area and maneuvered in additional troops to back up the engaging soldiers," he added. 

Brig. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, Task Force Sulu commander, for his part said the bandits are suffering increasing casualties with the relentless offensive in the jungles of Patikul. 

"The ground troops are certain the casualty figure of the bandits is increasing as there were sporadic encounters while the Abu Sayyaf were retreating with their casualty," Tolentino said. 

However, Tolentino refused to give an estimate of the enemy's dead because they dragged their fallen comrades along while retreating. 

"Their casualties might be recovered as our forces continue to scour the jungle," according to Tolentino, who is personally overseeing the offensive operation. 

He said the bandits' camp located in barangays Pansul and Pangkaya were discovered following tips from civilian villagers. 

The Armed Forces Southern Command reported that pursuit operations continued as of presstime, but there was no report of fresh fighting. 

"Two MG520 attack helicopter gunships have been placed on standby in the military headquarters in Sulu while the OV-10 bombers have been alerted for possible air support," a senior military official said. 

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 villagers from Patikul and the nearby town of Talipao have been evacuated for fear that they may get caught in the crossfire. 

Sulu Gov. Jikiri Yusop said he has already reactivated the Sulu Crisis Management and set up temporary evacuation centers for those who will be affected by the operation. 

"We have no choice in this war but support the military against the Abu Sayyaf. We have long wanted Sulu to be peaceful. The economy and peace and order are what are at stake here," he said in Filipino. 

He said the civilians and the local authorities are helping the police and military pinpoint members of the Abu Sayyaf, who he added were making life miserable for them.