JIs sighted with Abus in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – At least four Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants were sighted with Abu Sayyaf bandits during an encounter with Marines in Patikul, Sulu yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, said Amin Bacu, with aliases of Abu Jihad and Khalid; Muhamad Mahmud; a certain Muhamad Ali; and an unidentified JI bomber were spotted in the clash with around 300 militants in the vicinity of Mt. Awak in Barangay Latih at 6:29 a.m.

Bacu is said to be a henchman of Zulkipli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was killed in an operation by the police Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindao on Jan. 25.

Arrojado said there was no report if any of the spotted JI militants were wounded in the clash.

3 Abus killed

Three Abu Sayyaf militants were killed and five other bandits and 10 Marines were wounded in the encounter.

The slain bandits were identified as Umaali Jaarmani, Aljimar Barin and Ardam Muhajili, all residents of Patikul, according to military intelligence sources.

Arrojado said the bandits fled toward Barangay Maligay and Sitio Kanjimao in Barangay Buhanginan after the troops launched mortar attacks. 

The wounded soldiers were brought to a trauma hospital at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo for treatment.

Arrojado said two of the wounded militants were identified as Sueb and Anas. The militants were led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, Muammar Askali, Namiel Ahajari, Basaron Arok, a certain Almuktar and an unidentified henchman of Yasser Igasan.

The military has intensified its operations to rescue the remaining captives of the Abu Sayyaf, including six foreigners. – Roel Pareño, Jaime Laude