2 Marines dead, 1 hurt in Sayyaf attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants attacked a Marine detachment in Talipao, Sulu before dawn yesterday, leaving two soldiers dead and another wounded.

The victims, who were said to be under the command of a certain 1st Lt. Barcebal, were not identified pending notification of their families.

Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf militants strafed a detachment of the 22nd Marine Company in Sitio Palan in Barangay Mampallam around 2 a.m.

“ A firefight ensued for 15 minutes as the Marines retaliated,” Tan said.

Tan said the attack could be a diversionary tactic amid intensified military operations against the bandit group.

The Abu Sayyaf is believed to be holding more than dozen local and foreign hostages. – With Jaime Laude