Fighting erupts as troops engage Abu Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Firefight erupted Saturday morning when government troops encountered the Abu Sayyaf group believed to be among those responsible in the kidnapping of the German couple in the mountains of Patikul, Sulu, according to security officials.

The fighting was the first engagement between the military and the militants since the government forces launched the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf group following the release of German nationals Dr. Stefan Viktor Okonek and his wife Henrike Dielen more than two weeks ago.

Lt. Col. Marces Gayat, commander of the 35th Infantry Battalion, said his reconnaissance platoon led by 1st Lt. Chester Catapang tracked down about five to 10 of the Abu Sayyaf militants while scouring at Barangay Bungkaong about 7:20 a.m. Saturday.

Gayat said the troops were in the forested area of the village when they spotted the militants. 

“The troops assaulted the bandits and traded with fire with them. But the Abu Sayyaf bandits scampered away to different directions,” Gayat said in a statement forwarded to Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of the Armed Forces Public Affairs. 

The military officials claimed the troops noticed bloodstains along the Abu Sayyaf's escape path which they believed as indications the group suffered casualties.

Col. Allan Arrojado, chief of the Joint Task Force Sulu, directed the Philippine Air Force (PAF) MG520 attack helicopters to provide air support to the pursuing troops against the fleeing Abu Sayyaf group.

Arrojado said the attack helicopters fired rounds of rockets towards the encampment where the bandits were last seen including the lair of Abu Sayyaf leader Sawadjaan in Barangay Buhanginan. 

Arrojado vowed relentless operation to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from regrouping. 

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, who visited Jolo last Wednesday with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, directed the troops to maintain military pressure against the Abu Sayyaf for the release of the rest of the hostages.

The military and police reported that the Abu Sayyaf and its kidnapping syndicate were still holding captive up to 14 people, including two Europeans, two Malaysians, a Japanese and local residents.