Military launches airstrike against militants in southern Philippines

Military launches airstrike against militants in southern Philippines

2011-03-11 04:33:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

MANILA (BNO NEWS) -- The Philippine military on Thursday launched airstrikes against a lair of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group on a southern island, a military spokesman said, GMA News reported.

At least seven rockets were fired from the Mg-520 attack helicopters starting 5:20 a.m. at the terrorist lair on Sakol Island off Zamboanga City, Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military's Western Mindanao Command, said.

The attacks, which Cabangbang described as "a surgical strike," were launched after the military received a tip that senior Abu Sayyaf leaders Puruji Indama and Kair Mundus and about 15 followers were in the camp. Mundus is included in the list of wanted terrorists of the United State, which has offered $500,000 for his neutralization.

"It's actually alarming because it's already near the city. That is why we immediately conducted operations to thwart whatever plans they have," Cabangbang said, noting that Sakol Island "is not their (Abu Sayyaf) usual area."

Cabangbang could not say if the air strikes resulted in casualties, GMA News reported.

Five people were killed and eight more wounded when a bomb exploded near a school during rush hour on Thursday afternoon in the southern town of Jolo. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities believe the Abu Sayyaf was involved. 
The group has been blamed for some of the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines and high-profile kidnappings involving foreign hostages.

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