October 2, 2012, GMA News, Army kills Abu Sayyaf fighter, wound two more in Basilan clash,

October 2, 2012, GMA News, Army kills Abu Sayyaf fighter, wound two more in Basilan clash,

A member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group was reportedly killed by Philippine Army Special Forces and Scout Rangers in a clash in Sumisip town in Basilan Sunday.

According to 1st Infantry Division spokesman Capt. Albert Caber, Mohammad Aliman, who is a son of Abu Sayyaf leader Juhair Aliman, was the lone fatality. Alleged Abu Sayyaf fighters Kirum Tampuri and Kursi Umangkat were also wounded in the clash.

Caber said the firefight began when soldiers were sent to Sitio Bato in Mebak village in Sumisip after they received intelligence information that a group of Abu Sayyaf men were roaming in the area.

At around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, soldiers caught up with around 20 terrorists and the shooting began. Artillery rounds were fired from a nearby military base in support of the engaged army troops.

The ASG fighters withdrew 30 minutes into the fight, when artillery rounds started landing on their position. 

The Abu Sayyaf were in the area to supposedly harass Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Integrated Development Cooperative workers in order to extort money.

The ASG had launched attacks against TARBIDC workers in the past months. The most violent clash occurred in July when an ambush left five workers and a militiaman dead with scores others injured.

"Our operations are ongoing in the area…Our troops are not letting up on security operations," said Caber. — DVM, GMA News