28 March 2016•Update: 02 April 2016
By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
Government forces and militia backed by more than 30 fighters from the Philippine's largest Moro group say they have flushed out more than 70 militants from a Daesh-linked group in Basilan in the country's south.
In a text message sent to Anadolu Agency on Monday, Brig. Gen. Demy Tejares, commander of a Joint Task Force for the area, said that the fighting was the result of a renewed offensive against the Abu Sayyaf that started Friday last week, in which three members were killed and seven government troops wounded.
"The remains of another suspected terrorist and at least eight improvised explosive devices were recovered within the hastily abandoned Abu Sayyaf camp during Saturday's continuation of clearing operations," said Tejares.
Major Filemon Tan, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the camp was situated in Sitio Bohe, Barangay Macalang, Al-Barka town, just five kilometers from a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) containment area.
The MILF is presently involved a peace process -- albeit stalled -- with the Philippines government, aimed at bringing an end to a separatist conflict that has killed around 150,000 people.
According to Tan, the MILF also has a temporary camp in the area where some Abu Sayyaf members are believed to loiter.
"Apparently the MILF has become fed up by the Abu Sayyaf presence, and were the ones to put their foot down and say the ASG [Abu Sayyaf ] has to go," Tan said.
He added that the joint forces of the 18th Infantry Battalion and 200 Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) members joined forces with the MILF in attacking the Abu Sayyaf -- which has reportedly pledged allegiance to Daesh.
"The joint government and MILF forces initially clashed with 20 Abu Sayyaf militants about 6.20 in the evening [11.20GMT] Saturday. Sporadic firefight went until Sunday as the joint government forces, BPAT and the MILF flushed the Abu Sayyaf group from their stronghold."
Tan said operating forces overran the camp about 10.40 a.m. Sunday and a clearing operation was launched to rid the area of improvised bombs and booby traps.
Two militiamen were injured when an IED was tripped during the clearing operation.
They were airlifted to a military hospital in Zamboanga for treatment.
Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion 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.
