Manila: Philippine Marines killed at least seven Al Qaida-linked militants yesterday in a raid on a coastal hideout, but failed to capture a Malaysian terror suspect long wanted by Washington, officials said.
Government forces, backed by intelligence from captured militants and US military surveillance, have staged a series of offensives against the Abu Sayyaf extremist group in recent weeks — including one that killed a top commander last month.
Marines in rubber boats launched the latest raid yesterday on Laminusa Island off southern Sulu province, sparking two clashes that left seven militants dead — including two women — and wounded a Marine, regional military commander Brigadier General Rustico Guerrero said.
Malaysian militant Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as Marwan, and Abu Sayyaf commander Abu Benhur are believed to have escaped with other fleeing militants, Guerrero said.
"They may have escaped but we're pursuing them. This campaign will be relentless," he told The Associated Press by telephone.
Marines recovered 15 assault weapons abandoned by the militants in a rural tangle of huts on stilts, he said.
The US has offered a $5 million (Dh18.3 million) reward for the capture of Marwan, a US-trained Malaysian engineer who has been accused by Philippine authorities of involvement in a number of deadly bombings in the country.
Marwan has alleged links to several southeast Asian terrorist groups with Al Qaida ties. The US State Department says he is believed to be a leader of the militant organisation Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM) and a member of the central command of Jemaah Islamiyah, the Al Qaida affiliate blamed for numerous regional attacks, including the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings in Indonesia.
He is thought to have been living in the southern Philippines since 2003 and is accused of conducting explosives training for Abu Sayyaf militants there.
