30 killed as MNLF-Abu Sayyaf clash resumes

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least 30 people have been reported killed as fighting between members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the extremist Abu Sayyaf group resumed in the jungles of Patikul, Sulu on Monday, a senior rebel leader reported.

Police authorities in the province confirmed that the fighting between the two groups resumed on Monday, but assured that the hostilities remained contained in the mountains of Patikul and several security forces have been deployed to prevent its spillover.

Habib Mujahab Hashim, chairman of the Islamic Command Council (ICC) and member of the senior leaders of the MNLF central committee, said that the MNLF faction under Ustadz Habier Malik has suffered 16 fatalities, based on reports from the ground.

Hashim added that he received reports that at least seven MNLF combatants have been beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

He said fighting between the Abu Sayyaf and Malik's group resumed at around 7 a.m. Monday.

Among the MNLF fighters killed was a commander identified only as a certain Rizal, according to Hashim.

He said there were varying reports on the casualty on the part of the Abu Sayyaf.

“One [information] seems to confirm at least 14 Abu Sayyaf members were also killed from the hostilities,” Hashim added.

The fighting resumed as the MNLF forces attacked the area of Hatib (preacher) Hajjan Sawajaan while enroute to the lair of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron.

Hashim said there were reports that Sawajaan was in custody of captive Jordanian Baker Abdulla Atyani, who was kidnapped along with his news crew on June 13 last year.

Atyani's crewmen, cameraman cameraman Ramel Vela and audio technician Rolando Letriro, were released by their Abu Sayyaf captors on Saturday night.

The fighting between the Abu Sayyaf bandits and the group of Malik reportedly broke out as the MNLF rebels attempted to take Atyani.