November 16, 2000, Star Zamboanga, Sayyaf suffers more casualties, by Bong Garcia,

November 16, 2000, Star Zamboanga, Sayyaf suffers more casualties, by Bong Garcia,

The Abu Sayyaf suffered additional casualties among its members, increasing the death toll to 180 since the military offensive started two months ago. Six members of the Muslim bandit were reported killed during an encounter in the hinterlands of Sulu last Tuesday, military officials reported Wednesday. 

The fresh fighting took place minutes after American hostage Jeffrey Schilling, one of the two remaining hostages was interviewed over a radio in this city. A soldier was wounded in Tuesday's clash. Joint Task Force Trident chief, Maj. Gen. Narciso Abaya reported troopers from the 7th Infantry Battalion were patrolling when they chanced upon at least 25 armed Abu Sayyaf believed to be followers of the bandits' "field marshall" Ghalib "Robot" Andang around 8:25 a.m. in Barangay Laus, Talipao town. 

Abaya said the firefight ensued and lasted for 10 minutes forcing the Abu Sayyaf to fled towards northeast direction leaving their three dead comrades behind. Some of the bandits were believed wounded in the clash as bloodstains were found in their withdrawal path. 

Twenty minutes later, Abaya reported that soldiers caught the fleeing Abu Sayyaf in the forested area of Barangay Laus as the soldiers through their bloodstains mark in the withdrawal path tracked down the bandits. He said the bandits suffered another three comrades killed, totaling to six for that day (Tuesday), following a 15-minute firefight. The soldiers recovered two M-16 rifles as the bandits scampered to different directions. 

Since the start of the military offensive two months ago, the government troops has suffered seven killed and 24 wounded, including two civilian volunteers. Two hundred seventy two Abu Sayyaf has surrendered while 125 were captured.

Meanwhile, suspicion arises that Schilling and his Abu Sayyaf captors were no longer in the island province of Sulu when interviewed Tuesday over the radio. Aside from the very clear signal during the interview, Schilling disclosed that sometimes they traveled by boat after long hours hike in the jungle of Sulu. "Sometime we go to Tawi-Tawi," Schilling said during the interview. 

As to the fate of Roland Ullag, the Filipino dive instructor seized along with 20 others people in Sipadan, Sabah, Malaysia is still believed to be kept in the jungle of the island province of Sulu. They were separately kept hostage, as Schilling said he has no idea that there is another hostage being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf.