Philippine army hunts militants linked to al -Qaeda: 4 killed
Afp, Manila
The Philippine military said Wednesday four people were killed in a major operation aimed at capturing militants linked to Al-Qaeda including two suspected Bali bombers.The operation on the southern island of Jolo is targetting Khaddafy Janjalani, leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, as well as Jemaah Islamiyah militants Umar Patek and Dulmatin who are wanted over the 2002 Bali nightclub attacks. Colonel Mark Supnet, southern military command chief of staff, said field reports indicated the rebels had been contained near the town of Indanan. They could try to escape by boat from the island's southern coast, he added.Supnet said US soldiers stationed in Jolo to cooperate on anti-terror efforts were providing intelligence data and helping to evacuate the wounded. "We are receiving support from the US in terms of intelligence information," Supnet said. "We are running after about 150 to 200 ASG (Abu Sayyaf) and JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) personalities. Friends from the US are helping us in this aspect," he added. The soldiers are not engaged in combat, which the Philippine constitution bars.
| 
