Ambush kills 16 in southern Philippines

World Bulletin/News Desk

The beginning of the Islamic holiday of Eid was shattered by violence early Monday when 16 civilians - mostly females - were killed in an ambush by al-Qaeda-linked militants in the Philippines Muslim south.

Marine Captain Ma. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson for Western Mindanao Command, said that 50 civilians and police team members onboard two Tamaraw jeeps were ambushed by Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu province at around 8:30 a.m.

'The incident resulted in the killing of six males and ten females and the wounding of 13 individuals, including children,' Muyuela told the Anadolu Agency in a text message.

A planning officer at the Office of Civil Defense told the Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to media that the victims had been on their way to attend Eid al-Fitr celebrations when the ambush occurred in Talipao municipality.

He, however, did not elaborate on the motive behind the attack.

Authorities suspect the attack targeted members of the Talipano civilian security force, called the Barangay Police Action Team, which is helping government forces fight Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.

Government security forces are pursuing the bandits, who - according to Muyuela - were led by commanders Idang Susukan and Sibih Pasah.

Meanwhile, a construction foreman abducted on June 5 was released Sunday in Sulu's Indanan municipality, according to security forces.

Remigio Villanueva Lingayan had been kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants along with Joselito Perez Gonzales who - according to Lingayan - died in Patikul, in whose mountains Abu Sayyaf's main camp on Sulu island is located.

Lingayan was immediately airlifted to Zamboanga City after he underwent debriefing and a check-up at Sulu Provincial Hospital.

Local officials led by Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle 'Beng' Climaco-Salazar presented the freed victim during a press conference Monday at City Hall.

Mayor Climaco-Salazar said no ransom had been paid for Gonzales' release. She also thanked the provincial government of Sulu headed by Governor Abdusakur Tan for his safe release.

Since 1991, 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 province in the Philippines.

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