Fresh fighting between the military and Abu Sayyaf rebels erupted in the jungle of Jolo island, southern Philippines, yesterday, a senior army official said.
Troops clashed with the Abu Sayyaf group in the village of Maligay in Patikul town shortly before 2pm after security forces cornered a group of Abu Sayyaf fighters, said Jolo army commander, Col Romeo Tolentino.
"We cannot say if there were rebels killed in the fighting because soldiers are still battling the Abu Sayyaf in the mountains," he stated.
He noted that there were no reports of military casualties.
The rebels, he said, split into smaller groups and engaged security forces in a running gunbattle.
Philippines military chief Roy Cimatu flew to Jolo yesterday and supervised the ongoing offensive against the rebels, whose numbers are estimated between 200 and 300.
Troops were pursuing Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani and his lieutenants Radullan Sahiron, Galib Andang and Mujib Susukan in Jolo's jungle.
"Sooner or later, if they do not surrender peacefully, all of them will end up in body bags," Col Tolentino said.
Military and Abu Sayyaf clash in Jolo
Fresh fighting between the military and Abu Sayyaf rebels erupted in the jungle of Jolo island, southern Philippines, yesterday, a senior army official said.
