By Ronron
February 5, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. confirmed on Tuesday that at least four civilians were caught in the crossfire between government troops and alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members during Monday’s encounter in Sulu province.
Esperon said they will find out why there were civilians at the clash site when it happened at dawn at a mangrove area in Barangay Ipil, Maimbung town.
“Remember that the encounter happened at 2:30 in the morning near a mangrove area. So what were the civilians doing there? We would like to find that out and how it happened,” he told reporters at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The clash, which lasted for about an hour, had killed four ASG bandits and two soldiers, and hurt five other soldiers, Esperon said.
The government troops also recovered two M16 rifles left behind by the rebels, he added.
But despite the reported deaths of civilians, Esperon commended the combined elements of the Navy Special Operations Group and the Army’s Light Reaction Company for engaging the bandit group that was armed with high-powered guns, including an M60 machine gun.
“I would commend the troops for going into such a risky operation if only to accomplish their operation,” he said.
The government troops were reportedly carrying out a rescue operation for an abducted businesswoman in Jolo town last January 28, but they failed to find any hostage victim during the clash.
Military spokesman Maj. Eugene Batara had earlier said that the bandits belong to the group of ASG sub-commanders Abu Pula, alias Dr. Abu, and Albader Parad, both carrying $100,000 and $15,000 bounty on their head, respectively./DMS
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