Posted on 01/18/2007 8:57:56 PM PST by fishhound
Philippine troops step up offensive against Abu Sayyaf
Date: January 19 2007
MANILA: Philippine soldiers killed 10 Islamic rebels in fresh fighting in the south yesterday as the President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, vowed to put down the militants "with a hand of steel".
Lieutenant-Colonel Ariel Caculitan, a marine spokesman, said 10 Abu Sayyaf militants and three soldiers were killed in an hour-long gun battle on the island of Jolo, where most of the militant group has taken shelter. Two rebels were captured.
About 100 US military advisers are on Jolo to provide intelligence and training to the 7000 Philippine troops combating Abu Sayyaf, the most deadly militant group in the country.
The group, allied to Jemaah Islamiah, is accused of bomb attacks and kidnapping and beheading tourists.
It was the latest success reported by the military against Abu Sayyaf. On Wednesday troops said they had killed Jainal Antel Sali, alias Abu Sulaiman, one of the top five leaders of the group, in a gun battle at a jungle camp on Jolo.
A number of other Abu Sayyaf commanders have been killed in recent weeks, including Binang Sali, considered to be one of the group's spiritual leaders. "It's not the endgame but it will take the sting out of their tail," said a Western diplomat of the string of military successes.
"It's breaking down their capacity to function as a group and concentrate on attacks, but the Abu Sayyaf will continue to exist in some form or another."
Dr Arroyo met commanders at the main military camp in Manila to commend them for the killing of Abu Sulaiman.
"This government is determined to finish the job with a hand of steel against evil," Dr Arroyo said in a statement. "The relentless pressure we have applied in the field is taking its toll, and we will keep it up until all terrorists and their clandestine cells are accounted for."
Let it not go unsaid. Bush's fault.
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