At least five Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in an encounter with Philippine troops on the island province of Basilan.Captain Rowena Muyuela said no soldiers were hurt in the encounter that occurred on Monday in the town of Sumisip in Basilan. During the encounter in a remote mountain village of Sumisip, the soldiers also captured a camp believed to have been used by the militants to makee improvised bombs and also recovered heavy weapons and ammunition.
Muyuela said security forces launched the campaign against the rebels who ambushed and killed a junior military officer and five of his men assigned to guard an important road project, partially funded by the Saudis, in Basilan. The construction has been delayed by frequent Abu Sayyaf attacks, according to Muyuela.
Meanwhile, police reported the arrest of a suspected member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the town of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao province. The suspect was identified as Zanudin Kawilan. He was allegedly involved in the killing of two soldiers as well as bombing attacks in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.