“At first, we estimated there were about 80 of them, but as the fighting continued, their numbers increased to an estimated 200”, Detoyato said.
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Arrojado said the two PCG men recounted their successful dash for freedom during heavy fighting between government forces and the Abu Sayyaf, which was part of the intensified operations to rescue at least 10 hostages composed of foreigners and Filipinos still being held by the militants in Sulu.
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.
Found an hour aside, they didn’t know of one another’s escape till they noticed each other Thursday at an area army hospital.
Captain Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said by phone that seven soldiers from the Joint Task Group Sulu were “slightly wounded” in the firefight that started on Wednesday afternoon in Indanan town.
The beheading prompted elite army forces to launch a risky operation to free eleven hostages held by the Al-Qaeda-linked militants – together with the 2 coastguard officers, in addition to two Malaysians, a Dutch national and a South Korean.
Earlier, a Philippine military report said two days of similar clashes have killed at least five militants and one soldier on the nearby island of Basilan.
The military identified their captors as Abu Sayyaf members led by sub-commander Yasser Igasan, Anggah Adji, Jul Aksan and Alden Bagade.
Escaped hostages Philippine coast guard personnel Seaman Second…
Sporting long beards, Gringo Villaruz and Rod Allain Pagaling said luck and quick wit aided their escape from Abu Sayyaf militants on the remote southern island of Jolo.
Arrojado said that five of the slain ASGs were recovered along with three firearms.
They are known to hand over their captives to the Abu Sayyaf and negotiate for a ransom that, if paid, is shared with the group.
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The group has also been blamed for the worst terror attacks in the country, including the firebombing of a ferry off Manila bay in 2004 that killed over 100 people.
