By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
At least five Philippine soldiers and nine Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in a clash in the troubled island province of Sulu on Friday afternoon.
Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Capt. Rowena Muyela told the Anadolu Agency that troops were conducting law enforcement operations in Talipao, Sulu when they encountered heavily armed men at around 14.00 (08.00 Turkish Time).
She said a heavy gun battle ensued resulting in the death of the five soldiers and nine Abu Sayyaf gunmen, while 26 others were injured.
"More troops were sent to block the escape routes of the bandits," Muyela added. "We will continuously pursue the bandits in their jungle hideouts."
Colonel Allan Arrojado said in a statement Friday that 78 soldiers had encountered around 200 members of the Abu Sayyaf led by Commander Radula Sahiron while performing law enforcement operations in the area.
He added that among those killed were senior leaders of the group, but did not say if Sahiron was one of those who died or were injured.
Sahiron is described in military reports as a one armed, horse riding Muslim rebel leader who reportedly took control of the organization following the death of previous leader Khadaffy Janjalani in Sept. 2006.
“It’s a major encounter. As of now the fighting is over. We are tracking their whereabouts. We are pursuing them,” Arrojado added.
The military is carrying out strict law enforcement operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, following the group's release of two German captives last month.
Earlier this month, the group ambushed and killed six soldiers in Basilan - an incident that coincided with the arrival of United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg in Zamboanga City to launch a USAID program.
When asked by reporters about the reported presence of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the southern Philippines, Goldberg discounted any possibility, saying the U.S. had no information to that effect.
"I've heard and seen statements made here alleging some sort of involvement with ISIS [ISIL], we have no confirmation of that," said Goldberg in an impromptu press conference.
The question referred to statements from a local official in Basilan alleging the presence of ISIL followers in the hinterlands of the province."
I would urge people to take all that with a grain of salt because what we do have in this area are people who have at least aligned with them rhetorically but I can't confirm that there is any leakage," said Goldberg.
In another interview, Western Mindanao Commander Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero expressed his belief that lawless elements in Basilan are just riding on the popularity of ISIL, thus claiming affiliation with the group.
"We believe this is propaganda. There is no direct link with the international groups," he said.
The Abu Sayyaf has in previous months posted clips on YouTube, showing their allegiance to ISIL.
It continues to hold foreigners - including two European nationals - hostage in the predominantly Muslim southern Philippines.
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