Feb 21, 2010
MANILA (Philippines) - PHILIPPINE marines killed six Al-Qaeda-linked militants early on Sunday in an assault on a rebel encampment on a southern island, a senior military commander said.
A marine special operations platoon raided an Abu Sayyaf camp outside Maimbung township on Jolo island following intelligence reports that two wanted militant leaders, Umbra Jumdail and Albader Parad, were there, said Lt-Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino. Three marines were wounded in the clash.
Officials were trying to verify an initial report that one of the Abu Sayyaf commanders was among those killed, Lt-Gen. Dolorfino said.
The operation was based on a 'very strong intelligence report' that the two militant commanders were at the camp, he said.
Lt-Gen. Dolorfino said the 30-men marine platoon was backed by other troops deployed to block the escape of the militants from their encampment on Jolo, where the militants have operated for years despite a US-backed military campaign against them.
The Abu Sayyaf, which has about 400 fighters, has been blamed for numerous bombings, beheadings and kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners, including Americans. It is believed to have received funds from Al-Qaeda and is on a US list of terrorist organisations. --AP
