Marines kill 2 Abu Sayyaf militants in S. Philippines
18:07, June 24, 2010

Email | Print | Subscribe | Comments | Forum 
Quoting belated reports from the military's Joint Task Force Comet, Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said four Marine soldiers were also wounded in Tuesday's fighting in Talipao town, Sulu province.
The fighting was triggered by the recent harassments of development projects in the province by the Abu Sayyaf and rogue Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) elements, prompting the civilians to report their movement to the military, Arevalo said.
"Helpless civilians, tired of the atrocities of the lawless groups, reported to the Marines that Malik and his cohorts have been impairing humanitarian missions in Talipao and Maimbung," said Arevalo.
He was referring to the MNLF leader Habier Malik, who is said to be in alliance with Abu Sayyaf leader Yasser Igasan, in the waging the atrocities.
The first clash occurred at Tuesday morning when forces from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 intercepted the evading Abu Sayyaf and MNLF rebels, Arevalo said. The second clash occurred in the afternoon, he added.
The troops were able to seize a command and control facility and a satellite camp of the two groups, and recovered were the two bodies of Abu Sayyaf bandits and two rifles and assorted ammunition, Arevalo said.
"As long as the group of Malik and Igasan roams in Southern Talipao, progress in the area will never set in," said Col. Romeo Tanalgo, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade.
"The quest for development for the people of Sulu has necessitated the conduct of these surgical, intelligence-driven military operations against these lawless elements," added Tanalgo.
Abu Sayyaf was founded in the 1990s and had perpetrated a number of high-profile attacks, including kidnapping and bombing. The Philippine military estimates the Abu Sayyaf, which has links with external terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda, has about 400 members currently.
Source: Xinhua
(Editor:赵晨雁)

Related Reading
Philippine police to tighten security on new president's oath-taking day
Philippine outgoing president gives nationwide farewell speech
"Immediate resolve" political abduction: Philippine president
9 dead as truck carrying LPG tanks hits post, explodes in Philippines
Philippine Pr Arroyo esidentapplauds Armed Forces Chief's decision to retire early
Philippines' export to be boosted by China's decision to ease currency peg

Tibet poised to embrace even brighter future, 60 years after peaceful liberation
Chinese official calls for more language, culture exchanges with foreign countries
Senior Chinese leader calls for efforts to develop new energy
Central gov't delegation arrives in Lhasa for Tibet Peaceful Liberation Celebrations
China Southern Airlines sends charter flight carrying peacekeepers to Liberia

