AFP denies hand in Basilan raid

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The military had no participation in the raid conducted by police Special Action Force commandos and National Bureau of Investigation agents in Basilan on Friday that left three persons dead, two of them Abu Sayyaf surrenderees. 

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, expressed concern that the operation could affect the campaign to lure more Abu Sayyaf bandits to surrender.

Encinas said the operation in Barangay Candiis, Mohammad Ajul town was not coordinated with the local police and military.

Two of the fatalities, Ajan Mande and his brother Jamsid, were helping the military convince their former comrades to surrender.

The other fatality, Rajak Manguma, was a regular member of the Moro National Liberation Front.