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| Southeast Asia |
| Seven slain in clashes with Abu Sayyaf militants |
| 2014-04-12 |
| At least seven Abu Sayyaf militants and Philippine soldiers were killed in sporadic clashes in the Muslim province of Basilan, officials announced early Saturday. Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela said at least five from the Abu Sayyaf and two from the military side were confirmed dead. Two of the slain militants were identified as Assi Kalitot and Basri Musa. Both were followers of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. She said 28 soldiers were also injured in the fighting that began before dawn on April 11 in Ungkaya Pukan and spread to the neighboring town of Tipo-Tipo. She said security forces are pursuing Hapilon and the group of Puruji Indama and Nurhassan Jamiri, three of the most notorious leaders of the Abu Sayyaf. Muyuela said, "The operation was directed towards the neutralization of the said Abu Sayyaf Group which is responsible in a number of kidnapping and extortion activities, including the Sabrina Ikbala Voon kidnap case, and the P5 million being demanded by the Abu Sayyaf from the contractor of the ongoing Magkawa to Al-Barka road project." |
| Posted by:ryuge |