March 4, 2002, The Philippine Star, Four Abu members killed, extremist commander hurt in clashes,

March 4, 2002, The Philippine Star, Four Abu members killed, extremist commander hurt in clashes,

Four members of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed while an extremist commander was wounded in two separate encounters in the island-provinces of Basilan and Sulu - both ASG strongholds --on Sunday [3 March], according to military officials.

On the government side, an army integree identified as Cpl Mosalon Miyu was hurt when he and his men chanced upon 15 ASG bandits led by a certain Commander Adulhari Annang while patrolling Sitio Lahi, Barangay Buhitambis in Tuburan town, Basilan at about 10:30 a.m.

In the Sulu firefight, elements of the 26th Special Forces Company clashed with about 20 Abu Sayyaf extremists in Barangay Ipil, Maimbung town at around 1400 [local time]. The encounter resulted in the five casualties from the ASG.

There were no sightings of the bandit group's three hostages in the conflicts.