5 Sayyaf members, 2 Scout Rangers killed in clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – Five al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants and two Army Scout Rangers were killed while several others were wounded in a fierce gunbattle that erupted pre-dawn yesterday in the mountains of Basilan, according to a military official here.

The military also overran an Abu Sayyaf encampment after a three-hour firefight that began at 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Upper Baiwas, Sumisip town, according to Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

One of the Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders was confirmed among the fatalities.

Cabangbang said elements of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion were conducting strike operations when they encountered 30 heavily armed Abu Sayyaf militants under a certain Radzmil Janatul.

“The firefight lasted for about three hours after which the enemies withdrew with heavy casualties. Among those killed was Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Juhaiber Alamsirul alias Abu Kiks. There were also undetermined wounded on the enemy side,” he said.

The names of the two slain Scout Rangers were not made available pending notification of their respective families. Wounded were Pfcs. Frederick Valencia, Archie Tampipi, Raymond Sagmayao, and Private Pejie Labargan.

Cabangbang said the troops also recovered bandoliers, handheld radio, cellphone SIM card, and other personal belongings.

The wounded soldiers were airlifted by the Air Force helicopters near the combat site at Barangay Manggal and brought to Camp Navarro General Hospital inside the Westmincom headquarters.

The two slain Scout Rangers were also retrieved and airlifted to the military camp.