10 civilians hurt in Jolo mortar attack - police

(Updated 11:48 a.m.) ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines Ten people were wounded in the mortar attack by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants in the capital town of Jolo in the southern Philippines province of Sulu , police said. Police said the attack late Monday occurred hours after government engaged the kidnappers of the workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross - Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba - in Indanan town. The attack targeted the headquarters of the 3rd Marine Brigade at Camp Bautista. "Ten innocent people, all Muslims, were wounded in the attack. The mortar hit a house and wounding all occupants, including teenagers," said Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the provincial police chief. In a statement, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional police head Chief Superintendent Bensali Jabaran identified nine of the wounded people as: • Abdurafi Jupakal, 15; • Alimida Jupakal, 16; • Aljunil Jupakal, 17; • Julikar Jupakal, 12; • Adzmer Jupakal, 18; • Makradz Jupakal, 2; • Junil Jupakal, 70; • Nursida Anik Jupakal, 37; and • Habibon Miguel Jupakal, 9. Kasim said the mortar hit the house in the coastal village of Busbus and other reports said two more rounds fired by the Abu Sayyaf fell in the sea. Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan condemned the attack on civilians and ordered security forces to secure all vital government installations in the province. "We condemn this attack on civilian targets. Innocent civilians are not spared by this lawless group." Security forces pursuing the kidnappers have occupied the hinterland village of Kuppong in Indanan town where the Abu Sayyaf had kept their hostages, police said. But there were no traces of the aid workers or any of their captives after troops assaulted their lair on Monday afternoon, sparking a firefight that left 11 Marines wounded. "Troops are pursuing the Abu Sayyaf," said Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, chief of the Armed Forces' Civil Relations Service. Jema'ah Islamiyah militants led by Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan, is believed to be among the Abu Sayyaf holding the hostages. Two more Jema'ah Islamiya terrorists Dulmatin and Umar Patek are also said to be hiding in Sulu. Zulkifli, who also heads the Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM), was believed to be involved in multiple deadly bomb attacks in the Philippines and has been added to most-wanted list of the US Rewards for Justice Program. The US offered as much as $5-million bounty for the capture of Zulkifli, while Dulmatin carries a $10-million reward on his head and $1-million for Patek. - Al Jacinto, GMANews.TV