Philippine forces kill 1 extremist in new clash
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine marines have killed one of several Abu Sayyaf extremists blamed for kidnappings and extortion in a new clash with the group in the south, officials said Sunday.
A group of marines were patrolling a wooded area near a hill in Sulu province's mountainous Patikul town Saturday when they stumbled on about 30 militants. An ensuing 30-minute clash killed one militant and wounded an unknown number of other gunmen, marine brigade commander Brig. Gen. Martin Pinto said.
The militants dragged their wounded as they withdrew, leaving blood stains on a jungle trail, Pinto said.
They were led by a young Abu Sayyaf commander, Ninok Sappari, who has been blamed for recent kidnappings, including of two Algerian-born Filipino sisters. The women, who were abducted last year during a trip to make a video documentary about the lives of poor Sulu coffee farmers, escaped from their captors in February after eight months of captivity.
Regional marine spokesman Capt. Ryan Lacuesta said the marines patrolled the area to clear the passage of a military convoy on a nearby road. Abu Sayyaf gunmen have launched attacks against such convoys in the past.
On Friday, army troops attacked a separate group of Abu Sayyaf militants on nearby Basilan Island, sparking clashes that killed two soldiers and five militants. The militants were blamed for threatening a key road project in Basilan after a construction company refused to give in to their extortion demands, military officials said.
The Abu Sayyaf, which has also been blamed for beheadings and deadly bombings, has been blacklisted by Washington as a terrorist organization. It is one of at least three armed Islamic groups outside of a peace deal the government signed last month with the main insurgent group in the south, the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
