Troops seize Abu camp; 2 Marines hurt

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government troops overran the main camp of Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron in the mountains of Patikul, Sulu after intense fighting that left two Marines wounded last Monday afternoon, security officials said.

Brig. Gen. Martin Pinto, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, said Sahiron’s enclave was fortified with trenches and that booby traps and landmines were planted in trails leading to the camp.

“Our troops had to breach the enemy’s defenses and squeeze themselves into the complex terrain to be able to get close to the objective,” Pinto said in a statement.

Pinto said the advancing soldiers forced the militants to flee with their slain or wounded comrades who may include, as the Marines are checking, Sahiron, the most senior Abu Sayyaf leader in Sulu.