Philippine security forces search for kidnapped Japanese man

Muslim children dive from a boat anchored off Pangutaran Island in the Sulu archipelago in the southern Philippines. Police and military say a Japanese citizen was abducted by 10 armed men on the island Friday, July 16, 2010. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 17, 2010) – Security forces continue to search for a Japanese national who was abducted by gunmen on a remote island in the Sulu archipelago in the southern Philippines, officials said Saturday.

The foreigner, who officials identified as Amer Katayama Mamaito, was taken by at least 10 armed men on Friday on a fishing village called Bangkilay on Pangutaran Island. “We have no reports yet about the Japanese, or where he was taken or who were behind the abduction, but the military is gathering more information about the incident," said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

Police forces were also gathering intelligence about the abduction.
“Our forces are still out and searching for the foreigner. We still have no reports about his whereabouts,” said Chief Inspector Amil Baanan, the deputy chief for operations of the Sulu police force.

He said little was known about the background of the Japanese, but other reports said Mamaito has been searching for treasure on the island, north of Sulu province.

No group claimed responsibility for the abduction, but Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, the regional police chief, said they would form a task force to handle latest abduction. “We will activate the crisis management committee and form a task force to give the background of the victim and also to monitor the incident,” he said.

Last year, Abu Sayyaf militants abducted three international aid workers in Sulu and freed them one after the other in exchange for ransoms. It was unknown whether the Abu Sayyaf was involved in the latest abduction, but authorities have linked the group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya to previous kidnappings for ransom in the restive southern region.

In 1998, militants also abducted two Hong Kong and a Malaysian fishery workers on an island in the Sulu archipelago and freed them months later after their employers paid huge ransoms. Two years later, the Abu Sayyaf also raided a Malaysian resort island off Sabah and kidnapped 10 European holidaymakers and 10 resort workers and released them in batches months later in exchange for millions of dollars in ransoms. (Mindanao Examiner)

Japanese national abducted in southern Philippines

Pangutaran group of islands in the Sulu archipelago in southern Philippines. (Wikipedia locator)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 16, 2010) – Philippine authorities said a Japanese man was abducted Friday by gunmen on a remote island in the Sulu archipelago.

Police and military said at least 10 armed men seized Amer Katayama Mamaito in the village of Bangkilay in Pangutaran Island. “No other details are yet available,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

Police forces were also sent to the island to gather more information about the foreigner.

“Our forces are still in the area and gathering more information about Amer Katayama Mamaito. We don’t if he is fisherman or what, but reports stated that he was abducted by ten armed men at around 1.30 in the morning on an island off Pangutaran,” said Chief Inspector Amil Baanan, the deputy chief for operations of the Sulu police force.

No group claimed responsibility for the abduction, but Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, the regional police chief, said they would form a task force to handle the latest abduction. “We will activate the crisis management committee and form a task force to give the background of the victim and also to monitor the incident,” he said.

Last year, Abu Sayyaf militants abducted three international aid workers in Sulu and freed them one after the other in exchange for ransoms.

It was unknown whether the Abu Sayyaf was involved in the latest abduction, but authorities have linked the group, tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya, to previous kidnappings for ransom in the restive southern region. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf leader captured in Basilan province

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 16, 2010) – Government troops captured an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader after storming Wednesday a hideout of the terrorist group tied to Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya in the southern Filipino province of Basilan, an army spokeswoman said.

Lieutenant Steffani Cacho said troops raided the encampment in the village of Bulan-Bulan in Lantawan town where the militant leader Kaiser Said Usman was hiding.

“Kaiser has a standing warrant of arrest and was one of those who escaped from jail in Basilan in December last year,” Cacho said, adding, soldiers recovered an M16 automatic rifle and a grenade.

Cacho gave no other details about the militant leader or whether if he was involved in the spate of bombings in the troubled province just several nautical miles south of Zamboanga City.

On April 13 this year, Abu Sayyaf militants disguised as policemen and army troops detonated bombs outside the Santa Isabel Cathedral and the Basilan National High School in Isabela City, the provincial capital, and opened fire at fleeing civilians killing and wounding several people. A third bomb planted at a roadside was detonated by security forces.

The militants escaped after holding several civilians and used them as shield. Some of them were killed, including a policeman who tried to rescue the hostages. Basilan is one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. (Mindanao Examiner)

2 soldiers wounded in Sayyaf clash in Basilan province

BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 28, 2010) – Two government soldiers were wounded in a clash with al-Qaeda-linked militants in the restive province of Basilan in the southern Philippines, officials said Wednesday.

Officials said the fighting erupted on a village called Baiwas in Sumisip town after Scout Rangers crossed path with Abu Sayyaf militants wearing army and marines uniform. It was unknown if there were casualties on the side of the Abu Sayyaf.

“Two of our soldiers are wounded in the fighting, slightly injured,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

It was not immediately known whether the gunmen were among the group that was behind a deadly attack in Basilan’s Isabela City that left more than a dozen people dead.

Abu Sayyaf militants disguised as policemen and army troops detonated bombs outside the Santa Isabel Cathedral and the Basilan National High School and opened fire at fleeing civilians on April 13. A third bomb planted at a roadside was detonated by security forces.

The militants escaped after holding several civilians and used them as shield. Some of them were killed, including a policeman who tried to rescue the hostages. (Mindanao Examiner)

Captured Sayyaf militant dies in military custody in Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 21, 2010) – One of two captured Abu Sayyaf militants tagged as among those behind twin bombings in Basilan province in Mindanao had died from his wounds at a local military hospital, officials said Wednesday.

Officials said Umbar, who was wounded in a firefight with troops last week, died late Tuesday in hospital at the military’s Western Mindanao Command headquarters.

“An Abu Sayyaf member captured by government troops after the attack in Isabela City in Basilan died of cardio respiratory arrest secondary to sepsis due to his infected wounds,” said First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

She said the body of the militant was handed over to an imam and buried in a coastal village called Caragasan, west of Zamboanga City.

Cacho said another militant, Ajib Hainal, who was also wounded in the fighting and captured by the military in Basilan province, would soon be handed over to the police.

“Hainal is ready for release to the police,” she said.

Police have filed criminal charges against more than a dozen militants blamed for the deadly attacks April 13 in Isabela City where the Abu Sayyaf detonated bombs and opened fire on fleeing civilians. It said 14 people were killed in the violence.

Relatives of civilians killed in the attacks blamed police and military for their failure to prevent terrorism and public outrage is steadily growing.

Family members of those killed in the Abu Sayyaf attacks wore black shirts with markings “No Order” during the burial of four victims over the weekend – referring to the unstable peace and order condition in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, wrecked by clan war and terrorism and kidnappings for ransom.

Others carried streamers: “Game of the Generals,” “Give justice to the victims” and Justice of Tubigan massacre.” Tubigan is a village in Isabela City where militants opened fire on innocent civilians as they flee from pursuing government troops.

“I am from Isabela City and I really cannot understand why it took the military and the police so long to react on the attacks. The attackers were just walking in the village as they opened fire on hapless and innocent civilians.”

“They even shot and killed one policeman, took his weapon and chopped off his hand and this happened 30 minutes after the bombing and they continued their killing spree,” one woman said.

Many residents also blamed the failure of government officials who allegedly spend more time in vacation in Manila rather in the province and attend to the needs of their constituents and some only reports to sign important documents or collect their salaries.

Isabela, one of two largely Christian cities in Basilan, is host to a military camp and a police base, but the province is also a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf group and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, which were blamed in previous attacks and kidnappings.

Basilan had been attacked many times in the past by the Abu Sayyaf and Moro rebels and security problems still remain the same and military and police authorities also failed to improve the peace and order situation. (Mindanao Examiner)

11 dead in Sayyaf bombings, gun fight in Southern Philippines

At least 11 people are killed in a bomb attack and clashes Tuesday, April 13, 2010 between Abu Sayyaf militants and soldiers in the southern Philippine province of Basilan. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 13, 2010) – Abu Sayyaf militants disguised as policemen and army troops detonated bombs and opened fire Tuesday in Isabela City in the southern Filipino province of Basilan, triggering clashes that killed at least 11 people, officials told the regional newspaper the Mindanao Examiner.

Officials said soldiers clashed with at least six militants who were transporting improvised explosives in a van near the Basilan National High School. The fighting, which broke out at around 10 a.m., left five people dead - two soldiers and three militants.

A motorcycle bomb exploded 30 minutes later outside a Catholic church and killed one civilian and wounded several more. Another bomb planted on a road just outside the house of a local judge was detonated by authorities, but the powerful blast damaged his garage.

The other militants escaped after holding several civilians and used them as shield. Some of them were killed, including a policeman who tried to rescue the hostages. Security forces were pursuing the Abu Sayyaf gunmen, but the fate of the hostages remains unknown.

“We are pursuing the Abu Sayyaf which is behind the bombing,” said First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional army spokeswoman.

She said the militants were clad in police and military uniforms.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Mendoza, the provincial police chief, said they have put up checkpoints and road blocks to prevent the militant from escaping.

“We have put up checkpoints and road blocks and operations are going on against the terrorists,” he said.

On Monday, an army soldier was also wounded in an ambush by suspected Abu Sayyaf and Moro rebels in Ungkaya Pukan town outside Isabela City. (Mindanao Examiner)

Soldier wounded in Basilan ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 12, 2010) – One soldier was wounded after suspected Moro rebels attacked a group of infantrymen on Monday in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, officials said.

Officials said the attack occurred in the town of Ungkaya Pukan. “The soldiers were returning to their command post when the gunmen attacked them,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the town is a known stronghold of Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf militants.

Cacho said a still undetermined number of attackers were believed killed or wounded after troops exchanged gunfire with the ambushers. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf, MILF attack military post in Basilan province

BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 20, 2010) – Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants backed by Moro rebels attacked Saturday a military post and wounded a soldier and three government militias in the troubled province of Basilan, south of the Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the attack occurred at around 6 a.m. in the village of Guiong in Sumisip town.

“Elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 together with government militias manning a temporary patrol base were harassed by an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf and lawless MILF group. One soldier and three militias were wounded,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

The motive of the attack was unknown but the military and police had previously blamed both groups for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in Basilan, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The MILF is currently negotiating peace with Manila, but its fighters occasionally clashed with security forces in the southern Philippines and with both sides accusing each other of violating a fragile truce.

The military always tagged the MILF as lawless group if there are peace talks and terrorists and bandits is negotiations are either suspended or had failed. The MILF, which is fighting for self-determination the past decades, denied any alliance with the more violence Abu Sayyaf group whose members are tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya terror networks. (Mindanao Examiner)

4 soldiers wounded in Basilan blast

A Philippine military armored troop carrier passes by a dirt road in the southern Philippine province of Sulu. Four government soldiers were injured in an improvised bomb explosion on Thursday, March 4, 2010 in nearby Basilan province. The military blames the blast to the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 5, 2010) – Four government soldiers pursuing al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants were wounded when an improvised bomb exploded on a village in the restive province of Basilan, south of Zamboanga City in Mindanao, officials told the Mindanao Examiner.

Officials said the explosion occurred Thursday in the village of Baiwas in Maluso town, an area frequented by militants.

“Elements of the 32nd Infantry Battalion who were conducting clearing operations at a suspected Abu Sayyaf-frequented area in the village of Baiwas in Maluso accidentally set off planted improvised explosive devices,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

She said one soldier was also injured in clashes with the Abu Sayyaf on Tuesday in Sumisip’s Pamatsaken village and four more wounded in a land mine explosion in Baiwas village in Maluso town.

“This is continuous proof of the treacherous character of the Abu Sayyaf group and their lack of respect for human rights,” Cacho said.

Last week, more than a dozen people were killed after Abu Sayyaf and Moro rebels attacked a small village in Maluso town. Ten villagers were also injured in the raid.

Authorities linked the Abu Sayyaf to the spate of attacks on civilian and military targets and kidnappings for ransom in the southern Philippines. Basilan is a known stronghold of the militant group. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf man killed in fresh clashes in South RP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 23, 2010) – Security forces killed an Abu Sayyaf militant in a firefight that broke out Tuesday in the southern Filipino province of Sulu, officials told the Mindanao Examiner.

Officials said troops recovered the body of the slain militant in the hinterland village of Bungkaong in Patikul town.

“This is still part of the pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf following the encounter at Karawan (complex) in Indanan town,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

Cacho was referring to the fighting Sunday in Sulu that killed a wanted Abu Sayyaf leader, Albader Parad, and five other militants.

She said there were no reports of military casualties in the latest fighting, but troops were pursuing a band of Abu Sayyaf under sub-leader Basarun Ahaduk.

Last week’s fighting killed a government soldier and wounded three more after a platoon of marine special unit and reconnaissance soldiers assaulted an Abu Sayyaf camp in Karawan, a mountain complex straddling several towns and a known lair of the militants.

Lieutenant General Benjamin Dolorfino, the regional military commander, said among those killed was Albader Parad, tagged as behind the kidnappings last year of three international Red Cross workers in Sulu province.

Dolorfino said troops fought Abu Sayyaf forces under Albader Parad and Abu Jumdail, also known as Doctor Abu because of his alleged ability to cure wounded militants.

Both leaders are wanted by Philippine authorities for their involvements in the kidnappings of American citizens and the killing of two US Special Forces soldiers in Sulu in the past. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf terror man linked to kidnap-slay of 2 Americans falls

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 19, 2010) – Philippine authorities arrested a wanted Abu Sayyaf militant accused of kidnapping three US citizens and 17 Filipino tourists at a posh resort nine years ago.

Security officials said Jumadali Arad was arrested late Thursday afternoon while trying to board a passenger ship bound for Zamboanga City.

Arad was among those who raided the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan province near central Philippines in 2001 and kidnapped US missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham, and California man Guillermo Sobero and the Filipinos, and brought them to Basilan province, south of Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.

Guillermo Sobero was beheaded in 2001 in Basilan while Martin Burnham was shot and killed in 2002 during a US-led military rescue operation in Mindanao. Gracia Burnham was also shot and wounded during the rescue operation.

“The arrest of Arad is part of the military’s continuing operation against terrorism,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

The Abu Sayyaf, which means “bearer of the sword, has been linked to many kidnappings of foreigners and terrorism in the southern Philippines and was linked by authorities to the al-Qaeda terror network of Osama bin Laden and the Indonesian Jemaah Islamiya. (Mindanao Examiner)

2 soldiers killed in Basilan blast

BASILAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 19, 2010) – Two government soldiers were killed in a landmine explosion Friday in the troubled province of Basilan in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said one soldier was also wounded in the blast. The soldiers were searching for two kidnapped Chinese nationals in the village of Pamatsaken in Sumisip town when they tripped on the mine.

It was the second attack on soldiers this week after Abu Sayyaf militants also opened fire on a military post in Sumisip town on Monday.

“Two of our soldiers were killed and another is wounded in the blast. It is believed the landmine was planted by the Abu Sayyaf,” said First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the military’s Western Mindanao Command.

Abu Sayyaf militants, whose group is tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya, are holding Zi Shun Lu, 51; alias Oscar Lu; and Bo Shung Tan alias Michael Tan, 27, both from Guangzhou, China. The foreigners were kidnapped November 10 from a plywood factory in Basilan’s Maluso town along with a Filipino worker, Mark Singson, who was later beheaded after his employer Hi-Tech Wood Craft Corporation and family failed to pay ransom.

It was unknown whether the Abu Sayyaf was behind the latest attack on soldiers, but the militants are actively operating in the province. The Abu Sayyaf is demanding fifteen million pesos for the release of the two Chinese men, who are both illegally staying in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

The two foreigners were previously reported to be Filipino citizens, but later investigations revealed they are Chinese nationals and probably illegal workers hired by George Tan, owner of the plywood factory. The fate of the hostages is unknown.

Police said about 20 gunmen disguised as soldiers raided the factory and seized the trio.

Last year, Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan freed six kidnapped government teachers after private negotiators paid millions of pesos in ransom. The teachers Noemi Mandi, Jocelyn Enriquez and Jocelyn Inion were released in separate places in the towns of Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan.

The trio was kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Naga town and brought to Basilan where they had been held captive.

Three other state teachers Janette de los Reyes, Freires Quizon and Rafael Mayonado, all kidnapped in Zamboanga City, were also brought to Basilan and freed four months later after private negotiators ransom to the Abu Sayyaf.

But a faction of the Abu Sayyaf last year also beheaded a school principal, Gabriel Canizares, in nearby Sulu province after his family failed to raise two million pesos ransom. His head was found at a petrol station in the capital town of Jolo. (Mindanao Examiner)

Gunmen free last hostage in Sulu province

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 13, 2010) – Gunmen released the remaining Filipino construction worker seized in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, officials said Saturday.

Officials said Raja Halud was freed in the town of Maimbung late Friday. “Halud is freed and reunited with his family,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

Cacho did not give details of the victim’s release, but gunmen freed Halud two days after they had released unharmed Jalal Ali. Both men were working for a US-funded road project in the town when gunmen seized them.

Marine Brigadier General Rustico Guerrero, commander of military forces, tagged extortionists as behind the kidnappings. “We have reports that some villagers in the area extorting money from those working on the road project were behind the kidnappings,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Panamanian vessel sinks off Central RP, 4 Koreans, 15 Filipinos; ferry survivor rescued

Photographs released by the military's Western Mindanao Command on Monday, September 07, 2009 show rescuers rushing to the Superferry 9 off Zamboanga del Norte province in the southern Philippines. At least 9 passengers were killed and dozens more are still missing after the ferry went down on Sunday. More than 900 people have been rescued from the ill-fated vessel which was heading to the central Filipino province of Iloilo from General Santos City in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 7, 2009) – The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday rescued 19 crew members of a Panamanian cargo ship which sank off Samar province.

Military search team also rescued Monday a passenger, Lita Casumlum, of the ill-fated Superferry 9 that sank off Zamboanga del Norte province over the weekend, said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City.

She said the woman, a native of Iloilo province, was found floating at sea by 505th Search and Rescue Squadron of the Philippine Air Force and brought to Zamboanga City.

“The rescue operation is still going off Zamboanga del Norte,” she told the Mindanao Examiner.

At least 944 passengers and crew members of the Superferry 9 have been rescued since Sunday, but dozens more are still missing. At least 9 passengers were reported killed in the tragedy, including a two-year boy.

In Samar, the Coast Guard said it rescued 4 Koreans and 15 Filipinos from the MV Hera after it sank 11 nautical miles east of Hilaban Island. The crew members were on a lifeboat when they were spotted by two helicopters from the 505th Search and Rescue Squadron.

The Coast Guard said it received a report late Sunday from the Hong Kong Maritime Coordinating Center that the Panamanian vessel was taking water. It was sailing to China’s Jangiagang province from Papua New Guinea when MV Hera listed on its side.

“As of 8:50 a.m. this morning, FB (fishing boat) Pilano-3 with Philippine Coast Guard personnel on board is towing the lifeboat of MV Hera off Tubabao Island with four Korean nationals and fifteen Filipinos on board,” the Coast Guard said.

It was unknown whether the Panamanian vessel hit a reef or not, but the Coast Guard said there is an ongoing investigation and so with the Superferry 9. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine ferry sinks, 2 killed; 88 missing off Zamboanga province

Medical personnel attend to ferry disaster victims in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines on Sunday, September 6, 2009. The Philippine Coast Guard says the Superferry 9 sunk off Zamboanga del Norte province after it listed on its side and capsized. It said the vessel had 847 passengers and 117 crewmen and four sea marshals. It was unknown why the vessel, which came from General Santos City enroute to the central Philippine province of Iloilo, listed off Sirawai town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Amilbahar Mawallil)

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 6, 2009) – A passenger ship carrying more than 900 people sank Sunday off Zamboanga del Norte province in the southern Philippines, military officials told the Mindanao Examiner.

Officials said two passengers were killed and 761 others have been rescued from the ill-fated Superferry 9 off Sirawai town. Other reports said at least 3 passengers were killed and dozens more are missing after the ship tilted on its side and eventually capsized and sank.

“As of last count, 761 passengers have been rescued while two dead bodies were also recovered,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

It was unknown why the ship listed on its side. Cacho said the ship was sailing to Iloilo province from General Santos City when its captain Jose Yap sent out a distressed signal at around 3.30 a.m. “At 8.30 in the morning, the vessel is completely capsized,” Cacho told the Mindanao Examiner.

The Coast Guard said the ship sunk at past 10 a.m. It said the vessel had 847 passengers and 117 crewmen and four sea marshals.

She said four navy boats were sent to help in the search ands rescue.

“About 30 life crafts were deployed and also four navy patrol vessels, two civilian ships, the MV Myriad and MV Ocean Integrity are conducting rescue operation together with the Coast Guard. Two UH-1H choppers and two OV-10 planes have also deployed to assist in the search and rescue,” Cacho said.

The Coast Guard said 880 people had been rescued and 88 more are still missing.

“As of 1155H, rescued passengers as per latest consolidated report by PCG units and Aboitiz Management: Aboard MV Integrity 268 persons; Aboard MV Myriad 441 persons; Aboard Navy vessel 171 persons; Casualties 3; Total accounted: 880; To be accounted: 88.”

“Total on board SF9: 968 persons when the incident happened. Ongoing rescue operations continue. The said survivors and the 2 fatalities and 4 injured will be brought to Zamboanga City for medical attention and accounting of passengers,” it said. (Mindanao Examiner)

2 Philippine military choppers hit by enemy fire in Basilan province

A military photo shows a pilot inspecting one of two Philippine Air Force UH-1H choppers hit by enemy fire on Sunday, August 16, 2009 while flying over the southern province of Basilan, scene of a recent fighting that killed 43 soldiers and Abu Sayyaf militants. (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 16, 2009) – Two Philippine military helicopters came under fire Sunday and were forced to land on a remote village in the southern province of Basilan, officials said.

Officials said two television cameramen for the state-run NBN Television who were filming with senior military commanders were hurt in the landing near Lamitan City.

There were no reports of serious injuries, but the choppers were hit by bullets believed fired from automatic rifles.

“The choppers, both UH1H, were flying over Lamitan when it came under fire. We still don’t know who were behind the attack – it could be the Abu Sayyaf or Moro rebels,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

Cacho did not say how many passengers were in the aircrafts, but among them were a marine general and his aides.

She said the choppers were heading to the Kurelem, scene of a recent fighting between government troops and Abu Sayyaf militants in the town of Ungkaya Pukan. The fighting on Wednesday killed at least 43 soldiers and militants.

No individual of group claimed responsibility for the attack that occurred at around 11.30 a.m. near the village of Tumasib. Military operations against the Abu Sayyaf still continue in Basilan, several nautical miles south of Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)

Dozens killed in fighting in southern Philippines

Relatives in Zamboanga City view Thursday, August 13, 2009 the caskets of soldiers killed in fierce clashes in Basilan province in the southern Philippines. And a photo released by the military shows Western Mindanao Command chief, Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, as he pins a medal to a wounded soldier while a regional navy chief, Admiral Alexander Pama looks on, at a military hospital in Zamboanga City. Fighting in Basilan province on Wednesday left 23 soldiers dead and 20 Abu Sayyaf militants and 19 more security men wounded. (Mindanao Examiner Photo).

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 13, 2009) – At least 43 soldiers and militants were killed in fierce clashes in the southern Filipino province of Basilan, where security forces stormed an Abu Sayyaf camp.

The fighting, which began Wednesday, also left more than a dozen soldiers wounded in the town of Ungkaya Pukan after security forces stormed an Abu Sayyaf camp in Silangkum village.

Soldiers recovered at least 10 bodies of slain militants and improvised explosives and high-powered weapons from the Abu Sayyaf camp, said First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional army spokeswoman.

She said troops were fighting the Abu Sayyaf, blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings for ransom in Basilan and nearby city of Zamboanga.

Troops on Thursday continued their hunt for the militants in the hinterland villages of Baguindan and Silangkum in the town of Ungkaya Pukan where the fighting erupted.

Military sources in Basilan said 23 soldiers, including two army lieutenants, and 20 militants were killed in the daylong fighting. The cadavers of the soldiers were brought to the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City.

But Moro Islamic Liberation Front which is negotiating peace with Manila said troops also clashed with rebel forces in Baguindan village.

“Troops attacked MILF forces in the village and this triggered fierce clashes. Nine of our members and more than 20 government soldiers were killed in the fighting,” Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Kabalu said troops ambushed a group of rebels led by Asid Sali and a firefight ensued. “Commander Sali’s group was on their way to another MILF camp when troops ambushed them and that’s it,” he said.

“The Western Mindanao Command launched a decisive law enforcement operation targeting the Abu Sayyaf main training camp in the province. Recovered from the camp were sizeable quantities of IEDs rigged to explode while others were ready for use,” Cacho said, adding at least 13 high-powered firearms were also seized by soldiers in the militant’s base.

Cacho said the MILF was informed about the offensive operation against the Abu Sayyaf. “We have coordinated with the MILF and the Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities to avoid clashes between rebels and troops in Basilan. Our operation targeted the Abu Sayyaf,” she said.

The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting the past three decades for self-determination. Rebels are actively operating in Basilan. (Mindanao Examiner)

Troops storm Basilan Sayyaf camp; 10 killed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 12, 2009) – At least 10 Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in fierce fighting Wednesday in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, officials said.

Officials said troops stormed an Abu Sayyaf camp at around 3 a.m. in the village of Silangkum in Ungkaya Pukan town, sparking fierce clashes that left a still unknown number of military casualties.

“The fighting is still going and we cannot give out any details about the military casualties,” First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional army spokeswoman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

She said soldiers have recovered at least 10 bodies of slain militants and improvised explosives and high-powered weapons from the Abu Sayyaf camp.

“The Western Mindanao Command launched a decisive law enforcement operation targeting the Abu Sayyaf main training camp in the province. Recovered from the camp were sizeable quantities of IEDs rigged to explode while others were ready for use,” Cacho said, adding at least 13 high-powered firearms were also seized by soldiers in the militant’s base.

Cacho said Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels negotiating peace with Manila was informed about the offensive operation against the Abu Sayyaf. “We have coordinated with the MILF and the Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities to avoid clashes between rebels and troops in Basilan. Our operation targeted the Abu Sayyaf,” she said.

The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting the past three decades for self-determination. Rebels are actively operating in Basilan. (Mindanao Examiner)

Troops storm Basilan Sayyaf camp; 10 killed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 12, 2009) – At least 10 Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in fierce fighting Wednesday in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, officials said.

Officials said troops stormed an Abu Sayyaf camp at around 3 a.m. in the village of Silangkum in Ungkaya Pukan town, sparking fierce clashes that left a still unknown number of military casualties.

“The fighting is still going and we cannot give out any details about the military casualties,” First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional army spokeswoman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

She said soldiers have recovered at least 10 bodies of slain militants and improvised explosives and high-powered weapons from the Abu Sayyaf camp.

“The Western Mindanao Command launched a decisive law enforcement operation targeting the Abu Sayyaf main training camp in the province. Recovered from the camp were sizeable quantities of IEDs rigged to explode while others were ready for use,” Cacho said, adding at least 13 high-powered firearms were also seized by soldiers in the militant’s base.

Cacho said Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels negotiating peace with Manila was informed about the offensive operation against the Abu Sayyaf. “We have coordinated with the MILF and the Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities to avoid clashes between rebels and troops in Basilan. Our operation targeted the Abu Sayyaf,” she said.

The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting the past three decades for self-determination. Rebels are actively operating in Basilan. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine security forces rescue 5 abducted logging workers

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 18, 2009) – Security forces rescued Saturday five logging workers abducted by gunmen in the southern Philippine of Lanao del Sur, officials said.

Officials said the victims were seized by eight gunmen on July 15 in the village of Panoruganan in Kapai town. “The rescued hostages are now in the custody of the 103rd Infantry Brigade,” said First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

She said the hostages were moved from one place to another until soldiers and policemen tracked them down and rescued the victims - Eudillo Padilla, Rene Morteza, Felipe Lanuza, Vicky Lanuza and Jerald Cabanig - all workers of the Vicmar logging concession. Cacho did not say if there was a firefight between security forces and gunmen.

Cacho said the armed band was led by Basit Kauyag. She did not say if Kauyug is a member of any rebel group. But bandits and Moro rebels are actively operating in the area. (Mindanao Examiner)