[Philippine Star] The Philippine military pummeled Abu Sayyaf lairs in Basilan on Thursday, killing at least 20 militants in what was called a “shock and awe” airstrike by F-50 fighters followed by an artillery barrage. Troops also seized an Abu Sayyaf camp in Barangay Pamatsaken in the hinterlands of Sumisip, which was hastily abandoned by fleeing rebels under Furuji Indama.President Duterte had earlier ordered the military to "shoot on sight" Abu Sayyaf militants amid travel warnings issued by the US, Britain, Canada and Australia about plots to kidnap foreigners and conduct bombings in Bohol, Cebu and Palawan.
Col. Juvymax Uy said special forces under initially penetrated the camp before dawn on Thursday, then assaulted the Abu Sayyaf rebels who were having breakfast. The soldiers breached the camp perimeter and inched closer to about 100 meters from the makeshift tents. A gun battle broke out as the troops took the militants by surprise.
FA-50 jets launched the shock and awe airstrike and delivered rounds of rocket bombs against the Abu Sayyaf position. The airstrikes were immediately followed with artillery and mortar fire, inflicting additional casualties to the rebels.
Bloodstains were found in the vicinity. Intelligence reports said there were about 20 Abu Sayyaf fatalities from the combined airstrikes and indirect fires.
The military recovered three live improvised explosive devices that were rigged around the camp as booby traps. One IED was accidentally triggered and exploded, injuring two soldiers.