Abu Sayyaf leader, brod killed in clash
The Philippine Star 04/06/2006
ZAMBOANGA CITY — A suspected leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and his brother and a government militiaman were killed Monday in an encounter on Sacol Island, 1.2 nautical miles east of this port city, the military said.
The clash broke out a day before new US Ambassador Kristie Kenney arrived here en route to Basilan for her first official out-of-town trip.
Col. Edgardo Gidaya, chief of the anti-terror Task Force Zamboanga, said the encounter erupted in Sitio Camias, Barangay Pasilmanta when patrolling members of the Alpha Company and the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) chanced upon eight heavily armed men who turned out to be Abu Sayyaf rebels.
The clash left Abu Sayyaf commander Romy Akilan and his brother, Tatta, dead. The slain CAFGU member was identified as Mujib Ama.
Gidaya believes that Akilan’s group had come from Basilan and was temporarily staying on the island, which he said is a "known jump-off point of the Abu Sayyaf, pirates and other lawless groups."
Gidaya said the military was still pursuing Akilan’s followers who are believed to be still hiding on the island. — Roel Pareño
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200604069905.htm
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3 Sayyaf men killed
The Philippine Star 04/07/2006
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Three suspected Abu Sayyaf members were killed in an encounter with government militiamen in a remote village in Sumisip, Basilan last Tuesday, the military said.
The one-hour firefight with the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Samir Habang in Barangay Upper Cabengbeng also left a civilian dead and another wounded. — Roel Pareño
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200604079905.htm
The Philippine Star 04/06/2006
ZAMBOANGA CITY — A suspected leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and his brother and a government militiaman were killed Monday in an encounter on Sacol Island, 1.2 nautical miles east of this port city, the military said.
The clash broke out a day before new US Ambassador Kristie Kenney arrived here en route to Basilan for her first official out-of-town trip.
Col. Edgardo Gidaya, chief of the anti-terror Task Force Zamboanga, said the encounter erupted in Sitio Camias, Barangay Pasilmanta when patrolling members of the Alpha Company and the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) chanced upon eight heavily armed men who turned out to be Abu Sayyaf rebels.
The clash left Abu Sayyaf commander Romy Akilan and his brother, Tatta, dead. The slain CAFGU member was identified as Mujib Ama.
Gidaya believes that Akilan’s group had come from Basilan and was temporarily staying on the island, which he said is a "known jump-off point of the Abu Sayyaf, pirates and other lawless groups."
Gidaya said the military was still pursuing Akilan’s followers who are believed to be still hiding on the island. — Roel Pareño
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200604069905.htm
----
3 Sayyaf men killed
The Philippine Star 04/07/2006
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Three suspected Abu Sayyaf members were killed in an encounter with government militiamen in a remote village in Sumisip, Basilan last Tuesday, the military said.
The one-hour firefight with the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Samir Habang in Barangay Upper Cabengbeng also left a civilian dead and another wounded. — Roel Pareño
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200604079905.htm