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[Inquirer] Two Abu Sayyaf leaders and at least four foreign fighters were among the terrorists killed in clashes that spanned three days as Philippine security forces pursued a local terror group in Lanao del Sur province.Military chief of staff Eduardo Año said three Indonesians and a Malaysian, believed to be members of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror group, were among 37 militants who were killed in the assault. He said 14 of the dead had been identified, but did not name any of the slain foreigners or armed men.
Rolando Joselito Bautista said among those killed was Abu Imam Bantayaw, an Abu Sayyaf leader based in this town; and a subcommander identified only as Mael, who was killed and buried here on Sunday night. Bautista said one of those slain, believed to be a foreigner, was buried in a bomb crater.
Troops have also recovered the passport of an Indonesian national from the clash site in Barangay Gacap, he said.
Military spokesman Nixon Fortes said there would be no letup in operations against the Maute group, which had established a new camp in Piagapo. The area is just five kilometers from Camp Pukta of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front faction led by Abdullah Macapaar, alias Kumander Bravo, according to Fortes.
Año, in an interview on Tuesday, said the four were among the 130 foreigners living in Mindanao who are thought to be supporting local Abu Sayyaf militants. He said mopping-up operations were ongoing as soldiers tried to locate Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.