Injured	Killed
0	2

Date: 15 December 2010
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2-die-troops-kidnappers-clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two people were killed when government forces clashed with a kidnap-for-ransom group in an island town of Zamboanga Sibugay, a military official said Wednesday.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, newly installed Western Mindanao commander (Westminster) spokesman, said the clash erupted around 2:30 p.m. Monday in the village of Pulo Mabaw, Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

 

The clash broke out when the troops spotted the kidnapping group headed by Commander Kamsa Asdanal after they launched an offensive following the reported presence of the kidnappers in the village of Pulo Mabaw.

 

Cabangbang said the soldiers from the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade initially engaged in a firefight with a small group of Asdanal’s followers.

 

As the firefight continued, Asdanal’s group swelled into more than 40 gunmen, triggering a fierce gun battle.

 

Cabangbang identified the slain soldier as a certain Sergeant Ismael, who was airlifted to a military hospital in this city but died upon arrival.

 

He said the ground troops have intercepted a report that Asdanal’s son was killed during the firefight.

 

Military and police authorities have tagged Asdanal’s group as responsible for the spate of kidnappings and piracy in the region.

 

Among Asdanal’s victims were the three public school teachers who were kidnapped on March 13, 2009, in the village of Bangkaw-Bangkaw, Naga, in Zamboanga Sibugay.

 

The three teachers were on their way home when they were kidnapped. They were freed on September 23, 2009, in the village of Bancuang, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan province.

 

It has also been confirmed that Asdanal’s group was responsible for the kidnapping of a retired soldier and a resident of Manicahan village, 20 kilometers east of this city.

 

The soldier, who was fishing when kidnapped on February 6, 2010, was rescued on February 20, 2010, in the boundary of Tungawan and R.T. Lim towns in Zamboanga Sibugay.

 

Cabangbang said pursuit operations continue against Asdanal’s group, which is reportedly still in Oluntanga, Zamboanga Sibugay. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)