/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ October 22, 2001, Statesman (India) / Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 26 Abu Sayyaf rebels killed in encounters,
October 22, 2001, Statesman (India) / Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 26 Abu Sayyaf rebels killed in encounters,
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October 22, 2001, Statesman (India) / Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 26 Abu Sayyaf rebels killed in encounters,
DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 21. At least 26 Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed today when fighting erupted between the guerrillas and Philippine troops on two southern islands, the military said.
Lieutenant General Roy Cimatu, chief of the armed forces Southern Command, said sporadic clashes were still ongoing in the hinterlands of Basilan and Jolo islands.
Lt Gen Cimatu said at least 18 rebels were killed in the skirmishes in the outskirts of Talipao town in Jolo, where one soldier was also killed and nine others wounded.
Eight other Abu Sayyaf guerrillas were killed in the fighting in Basilan, 900 km south of Manila, where the rebels were holding captive two Americans and eight Filipinos.
The encounters were the result of continuing military operations against the terrorist group in Basilan and Jolo, said Lt Gen Cimatu, who flew to Basilan to supervise the operations there.
Two MG-520 attack helicopters conducted air strikes to support ground troops in the boundaries of Lantawan and Maluso towns and Isabela City in Basilan, he said.
This is the main rebel force holding the 10 hostages, he added. There have been sightings of these hostages and we believe they included the American missionary couple. The American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham were among 20 people abducted from a Philippine luxury resort on 27 May. The group was brought to Basilan, where the rebels took more hostages.
Colonel Roland Detabali, assistant chief for operations at the Southern Command, said soldiers were on combat patrol when they encountered at least 100 rebels in Talipao.
The rebel group has been linked to Islamic militant Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the 11 September US terror attacks.
Last Friday, a 26-member team of US anti-terrorism experts arrived in the country to help train the military to deal with the Abu Sayyaf.
Lt Gen Cimatu said the team, headed by Colonel David Fridovich and Colonel John Christian of the elite US Special Forces, was expected to fly to Mindanao on Thursday. Officials stressed that the American experts are not armed and would not take part in the military offensive.
Lieutenant General Roy Cimatu, chief of the armed forces Southern Command, said sporadic clashes were still ongoing in the hinterlands of Basilan and Jolo islands.
Lt Gen Cimatu said at least 18 rebels were killed in the skirmishes in the outskirts of Talipao town in Jolo, where one soldier was also killed and nine others wounded.
Eight other Abu Sayyaf guerrillas were killed in the fighting in Basilan, 900 km south of Manila, where the rebels were holding captive two Americans and eight Filipinos.
The encounters were the result of continuing military operations against the terrorist group in Basilan and Jolo, said Lt Gen Cimatu, who flew to Basilan to supervise the operations there.
Two MG-520 attack helicopters conducted air strikes to support ground troops in the boundaries of Lantawan and Maluso towns and Isabela City in Basilan, he said.
This is the main rebel force holding the 10 hostages, he added. There have been sightings of these hostages and we believe they included the American missionary couple. The American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham were among 20 people abducted from a Philippine luxury resort on 27 May. The group was brought to Basilan, where the rebels took more hostages.
Colonel Roland Detabali, assistant chief for operations at the Southern Command, said soldiers were on combat patrol when they encountered at least 100 rebels in Talipao.
The rebel group has been linked to Islamic militant Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the 11 September US terror attacks.
Last Friday, a 26-member team of US anti-terrorism experts arrived in the country to help train the military to deal with the Abu Sayyaf.
Lt Gen Cimatu said the team, headed by Colonel David Fridovich and Colonel John Christian of the elite US Special Forces, was expected to fly to Mindanao on Thursday. Officials stressed that the American experts are not armed and would not take part in the military offensive.
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