[PNA]Four more Abu Sayyaf militants were killed after troops encountered two squads of rebels in two separate forested areas in Sumisip, Basilan on Saturday afternoon.Military spokeswoman Jo-Ann Pentinglay said the slain rebels were part of a group of 15 to 20 terrorists. She said the bandits were in two separate groups when intercepted by the army's 4th Special Forces Battalion and 18th Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force Basilan who were on patrol.
The first firefight occurred at 2 p.m. Two rebels were killed and several others were injured. Troops later intercepted the fleeing rebels, killing two more at 9 p.m. Troops clearing the area discovered a temporary encampment near the encounter site.
Last week, two prominent Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders were killed in separate clashes in Inabanga, Bohol and Indanan, Sulu as the military stepped up its attacks on the terrorist group. Alhabsy Misaya, one of the most feared militants operating in Sulu, was killed by marines.
Days after Misaya's death, security forces intercepted and killed Muamar Askhali, alias Abu Rami, who was behind the beheading of two Canadian and a German hostage.
On Sunday, suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters set off an improvised bomb along the national highway in Datu Hofer, Maguindanao, the second roadside bombing in the province in less than 24 hours. Captain Arvin John Encinas said, "The roadside bombs were meant for government forces cruising the road network."
Encinas said the Army had launched artillery attacks toward nearby Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao where the BIFF was planning to overrun an Army base in the village of Pagatin.