Maj. Eugene Batara, Wesmincom spokesman, said elements of the 3rd Marine Brigade stormed an uphill village in Patikul after receiving information from civilians that heavily armed Abu Sayyaf bandits were regrouping there Friday morning. MG-520 attack helicopters provided air support for the ground troops.
The gunbattle erupted as Muslims in Sulu prepared to observe Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.
Wesmincom officials gave no assurance of a ceasefire during Ramadan but declared it will avoid using heavy artillery and bombs.
The body of the slain terrorist, who was unidentified, was reportedly found on a path that his comrades used as escape route. Bloodstains on the escape route indicated that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, the military said.
Body counts are unreliable since fleeing rebel and terrorist groups are known to drag their dead and wounded.
Wesmincom chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo vowed to continue the offensive to capture Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani and JIs Dulmatin and Umar Patek even during Ramadan.
He said the operation will prevent the terrorist groups from regrouping and attacking military and civilian targets. The offensive is part of "Oplan Ultimatum," launched some two months ago to neutralize JI and Abu Sayyaf leaders, particularly Janjalani and Patek. — Roel Pareño