Fighting in Sulu greets US general

Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 5, 2003
By Norman Bordadora, Julie S. Alipala, and Martin P. Marfil

Amid heavy fighting in Sulu province between Marines and Abu Sayyaf bandits, Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander of the US military forces in the Asia Pacific region, arrived in Zamboanga City Wednesday to observe joint efforts to fight terrorism in the country.

The US Embassy in Manila said the US security assistance program to train Filipino soldiers was the largest program that Fargo's command was undertaking in the region.

A Marine and at least 11 other soldiers were wounded when troops and Abu Sayyaf bandits clashed in Mt. Bagsak in Patikul town. The clash started less than two hours before Fargo arrived in Zamboanga.

After arriving in Zamboanga, Fargo was immediately whisked to a nearby military headquarters for closed-door meetings with General Narciso Abaya, armed forces chief of staff, and Major General Roy Kyamco, Southern Command chief.

Security was tight for the entire visit, with troops patrolling the area and MG-520 helicopter gunships flying overhead.

Fargo, on a three-day visit to the Philippines, discussed with the Philippine officials preparations for the Balikatan counter-terror exercises set for later this year.

Philippine officials have said the Balikatan operations could include the deployment of US forces to Sulu, a traditional stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, wanted for the murders and kidnappings of at least two Americans in recent years. The Abu Sayyaf has been tagged a terrorist organization by Washington.

"The security assistance training is designed to assist the Philippine military in developing a sustained, long term capability to defeat terrorism, which is a primary goal of the military relationship," the US Embassy said.

An advance team of US Special Forces is already in Zamboanga for classroom training of Filipino troops and assistance in civic projects. US soldiers deployed in Basilan for similar operations last year helped to neutralize one faction of the Abu Sayyaf, which led to the rescue of American hostage Gracia Burnham.

Karen Kelley, embassy spokesperson, said Fargo's visit to the Philippines was not in anyway connected to what US Senators Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed said last week about the re-assessment of US military deployment in the Asia Pacific.

"He's here primarily to attend the annual Mutual Defense Board Meeting between defense officials of our two countries. Relating his visit to the LA Times report of (a) re-alignment of forces would be a bit of a stretch," Kelley said in a phone interview.

Kelley said Fargo was on a series of visits in Southeast Asia. He met with Malaysian officials in Kuala Lumpur before coming to the Philippines.

"There will also be discussions until Friday. He has scheduled meeting with Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Narciso Abaya," she said.

Fargo's plane touched down at the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City at around 11 a.m. Fargo was met by Lieutenant General Claudio Estanilla of the Philippine Air Force's Third Tactical Wing Operations Command.

Major Randy Cephus, public affairs officer of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, said Fargo visited US servicemen in Camp Enrile in barangay (village) Malagutay. Fargo left for Manila at about 3:50 p.m.

Fargo's visit came just days after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo returned from a state visit to Washington, where she obtained a pledge from US President George W. Bush for 356 million dollars in military assistance.

Bush also promoted the Philippines to a full-fledged non-NATO ally, which would give Manila greater access to US military equipment and supplies.

Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo said the Patikul clash occurred at about 9:45 a.m. when elements of the 39th Marine company of the Marine Landing Battalion Landing Team 9 encountered the Abu Sayyaf group in barangay Taglibi, Patikul.

The clash came two days after the military announced the capture of an Abu Sayyaf sub-commander said to be one of the planners of the attack on Ipil town in 1995.

The suspect, Kalaw Jaljalis, is the head of an Abu Sayyaf unit based in Basilan and is said to be directly under Khadaffy Janjalani, the Abu Sayyaf chief. Jaljalis, who carried a 500,000-peso bounty, was arrested in barangay Litayon, Patikul.

Brigadier General Renato Miranda, commander of the Marines Forces-South, said soldiers were acting on information provided by Jaljalis that some 200 heavily armed bandits led by Radulan Sahiron and Janjalani were holed up in Mt. Bagsak.

Miranda said the bandits put up a heavy defense, prompting the military to use air and ground artillery assaults.

As of late evening Wednesday, two MG520 attack helicopters and two Huey choppers were bombarding the bandits' position with rocket fire.

Miranda said the military was also pounding "specific targets" in Mt. Bagsak with artillery fire.

"We don't have the number of casualties on their side, but we are confident that we have inflicted greater damage against them," he said.

 
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