6 Abus killed in clash - AFP

MANILA, Philippines - The military confirmed yesterday that the brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad was among those killed in a gun battle with government troops in Indanan, Sulu last Saturday.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said Gadger Parad was among the six Abu Sayyaf gunmen killed by government troops during the operation to rescue Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni, who is still held hostage by the bandit group.

Arevalo said Parad himself and his brother Saddam were among those injured during an encounter with Marines in Barangay Timahu, also in Indanan last Friday.

Arevalo added Parad lost his son Damz, along with Ting and Magdar Jumdael, sons of another Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Pula.

Three others, identified only as Darul, Sallam and Julmillun were also killed by government troops during the encounter.

There were reports that a sniper killed Parad and one of his trusted aides, although this information was not validated or confirmed by the military.

Sources also said 15 Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed and more than 20 were wounded by government troops in last Saturday’s fighting.

Eight soldiers have been killed and 20 others were wounded in the fighting, according to an unnamed official who was monitoring the rescue operation.

The same official who requested not to be named as he is not authorized to make a statement, said the casualty on Abu Sayyaf group could be greater since the bandits were dragging away their casualties.

“We have reason to believe that the Abu Sayyaf suffered more than what was just observed on the ground because the fighting Saturday morning was fierce and intense,” the official said.

Western Mindanao (Westmincom) spokesperson Lt. Stefani Cacho said they have yet to confirm the casualty count.

“Our troops on the ground continued to validate the information that would be provided by the ground intelligence while pursuit continued against the enemy,” she said.

Cacho admitted the casualty count could be greater against the Abu Sayyaf.

“It has been the tactic of the Abu Sayyaf to drag away their casualties and hide away,” Cacho said.

Cacho confirmed the government suffered six casualties, including a policeman, with 15 others wounded.

Vagni still alive

Arevalo also confirmed five Marines and a police commando were killed after they were ambushed by Abu Sayyaf gunmen last Saturday.

He said troops were conducting follow-up operations to chase the bandits who staged the ambush.

“We are conducting surgical, deliberate operations,” Arevalo said.

Arevalo also announced Vagni is still alive and being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf in an undisclosed place.

“Our information is clear, that he is alive,” Arevalo said.

The latest verifiable information from the area indicated that Vagni, who is said to be suffering from a hernia, was being moved around by his captors in the jungles near Barangay Sionogan where the fighting occurred.

Vagni was seized along with fellow International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) colleagues Andreas Notter of Switzerland and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba in Jan. 15 while on a humanitarian mission in Jolo.

Notter and Lacaba were released in April, although efforts to negotiate Vagni’s release have been exhausted, Arevalo said.

Jolo Gov. Abdusakur Tan has given the go signal for government troops and police to mount a rescue operation for Vagni, who is also suffering from hypertension.

Vagni has difficulty moving around but was able to call his family last week, according to military and local officials.

But the last time Vagni called up his family by phone was on June 2, according to sources.

And after that there has no longer been any communication from him or his captors, sources said.

The same source said a small group led by Abu Pula is holding Vagni captive.

“But it could not be ascertained though if Vagni and his captors are still holed up in the vicinity of Mt. Tucay in Indanan as indicated in the reports last May,” the official said.

“The last thing we monitored was that Vagni was being guarded by about 200 Abu Sayyaf gunmen but as to their movement, we really do not know,” the same source added. –With Roel Pareño, Edith Regalado