3 soldiers killed in clash with Sayyaf in Basilan

Three Army soldiers were killed in a firefight with suspected members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in Basilan on Thursday morning, a regional military official said. In a text message to reporters, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino said that at 6 a.m., patrolling elements of the Army's 32nd Infantry Battalion were fired upon by the suspected bandits in Barangay Bohelebung in Tipo-Tipo town. A 30-minute firefight then ensued which resulted in the deaths of three government soldiers, according to Dolorfino. The identities were withheld pending notification of their relatives. The suspected bandits fled towards the direction of Barangay Makalang after the encounter and are currently being pursued by soldiers, Dolorfino said. An undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf members were also believed killed in the clash, he added. In a separate incident in Basilan, Dolorfino said suspected Abu Sayyaf member Adel Kamla was killed by elements of the 1st Marine Brigade in Barangay Masola in Isabela City. Dolorfino described Kamla, who carried a P200,000 reward for his arrest, as one of the 31 inmates who bolted the Basilan Provincial Jail on Dec. 13, 2009. The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for various kidnap-for-ransom and bombing activities in southern Philippines and in Metro Manila. Last month, the Department of Justice filed a case to outlaw and put a “terrorist" tag on members of the bandit group. (See: DOJ wants 'terrorist' tag on Abu Sayyaf) — with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV