By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
A Philippine soldier was killed and eight others injured Tuesday after suspected al-Qaeda-linked militants set off a landmine on a road in the southern island province of Basilan.
According to the military’s Western Mindanao Command, troops had been conducting a market day road patrol in Tipo-Tipo town when the blast occurred at around 7.50 a.m. (0050GMT) approximately one meter from their position.
"The blast killed a personnel and [injured] eight others, all members of the Charlie Company, 18th Infantry Battalion," Capt. Rowena Muyuela told Anadolu Agency in a text message.
"Casualties were immediately evacuated for medical attention,” she added. “Motive of the incident is believed to be ASG [Abu Sayyaf Group] members who are agitated by the series of patrols being conducted regularly by security forces in the area."
Lieutenant Colonel Paolo Perez, 18th Infantry Battalion commander, had earlier said his men had been traversing an area between Tipo-tipo and Albarka town at the time of the incident.
He also blamed the Abu Sayyaf faction under Mussana Jamiri that has reportedly been receiving training from Malaysians members of the Jemaah Islamiyah -- al-Qaeda’s Southeast Asia affiliate.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor had urged the military to pursue a number of Malaysians – including the notorious Mohammad Najib bin Hausein alias Abu Anas – believed to be hiding in the Philippines’ south, due to their alleged role in developing the Abu Sayyaf’s bomb-making capability.
According to Mujiv Hataman, the Malaysian nationals had influenced the Abu Sayyaf to use minors as bomb couriers.
The Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortions in a self-determined fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines.
It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.
