February 1, 2002, AFP, Indonesian ships on alert to prevent border-crossing by Abu Sayyaf,

February 1, 2002, AFP, Indonesian ships on alert to prevent border-crossing by Abu Sayyaf,
Friday 8:07 PM

JAKARTA, Feb 1 (AFP) -The Indonesian navy has deployed three warships in waters bordering the Philippines to prevent possible entry by beleaguered Abu Sayyaf members into Indonesian territory, a report said Friday.

The ships have been patrolling the sea off Sangihe island on the northern tip of Indonesia, said First Admiral Kenny Welong in the Sinar Harapan evening daily.

"To anticipate the possible entry by Abu Sayyaf forces to this area we are deploying three battle-ready warships on the sea border," Welong said.

On Friday five Abu Sayyaf members were killed in a clash with Philippine Marines in the southern island of Basilan.

Abu Sayyaf is holding American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and a Filipina nurse, the remaining hostages from a kidnapping spree the group launched in May.

On Thursday Philippine and American officials launched joint military operations in the south to prepare local troops to battle the Abu Sayyaf. Approximately 600 US soldiers will take part.

As part of the six-month long operation, American soldiers will join local troops in their campaign against the Abu Sayyaf, but US and Philippine authorities say they will merely observe and give advice, not participate in actual combat.