Marines pursue Sayyaf attackers

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Marines launched yesterday pursuit operation against the Abu Sayyaf group that attacked a military camp in Sulu.

The soldiers were cautioned to conduct operations carefully to prevent disrupting the observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that starts today.

Four Marines were killed while 10 others were wounded when the Abu Sayyaf fired mortars when they attacked the headquarters of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 (MBLT) at Barangay Bon-bon, Patikul.

Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban, chief of the Joint Task Force Comet based in Jolo, said the operations against the Abu Sayyaf would be discreet and will preserve the peaceful observance of the Ramadan.

Sabban said the military would not fall prey into the devious tactics of the Abu Sayyaf militants by drawing the government forces into hostility to upset the predominantly Muslim residents of Sulu from performing their daylong fast during Ramadan.

“The military condemned the devious tactics of the criminals who instigated hostilities despite the forthcoming observance of Ramadan,” Sabban said.

He said the Marines have been in constant dialogue with the imams (Muslim priest) and ulamas (Islam scholars) for better understanding and to prevent any situation that may be interpreted as disregard to Muslim tradition.

Sabban said it is crucial for the soldiers to conduct law enforcement operations to prevent similar attacks against troopers and civilians.

Sabban also expressed his sympathy to the families of the slain Marines.

The slain Marines were all airlifted Saturday to Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) for proper disposition of the remains to the respective families following an honor and treatment of those wounded.