Abu’s Sahiron wounded in Sulu fighting?

MANILA, Philippines - Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron could have been among the bandits wounded in a clash in Barangay Buhanginan, Sulu last Friday.

“We are still verifying this. What is confirmed is that 25 of them were killed while 27 others were wounded,” a military source in Sulu said.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has offered $5 million for information leading to the capture of Sahiron and another Abu Sayyaf leader, Isnilon Hapilon, for their crimes against Americans.

At least 25 Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed and 27 others were wounded after five days of fighting with government troops in Sulu.

The military said two soldiers from Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS) led by Col. Allan Arrojado were also killed and 26 others wounded in the gunbattles.

Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command, said troops from the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion under Lt. Col. Eugenio Boquio attacked the fleeing group of Sahiron in Sitio Baunoh Butong, Barangay Buhanginan in Patikul.

Muyuela said ground troops have launched mortar attacks while air support was provided by the Air Force.

She said the 40-millimeter mortar rounds fired by the Abu Sayyaf bandits hit the wounded soldiers.

She said the victims were airlifted to a military hospital in Barangay Busbus in Jolo.

Muyuela said pursuing troops reported that Abu Sayyaf bandits retreated toward Barangay Taglibi.

The military is also verifying reports that more bandits led by Furuji Indama arrived in Sulu yesterday to reinforce the group of Sahiron.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the bandits are now low in ammunition.

“Reports from our sources in the villages in Patikul indicate that Abu Sayyaf is on the run... The elite Scout Rangers are relentlessly tracking them down,” Cabunoc said. –With Roel Pareño