2 women ‘collateral damage’ in clash vs Abu Sayyaf—military
By Julie Alipala
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 20:09:00 03/09/2010
Filed Under: Armed conflict, Acts of terror
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Consider their deaths collateral damage.
This was how the Western Mindanao command chief, Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, described the civilians—particularly the two women—killed during an anti-terror operation in Siasi, Sulu on Sunday.
Dolorfino said 80-year old Ondi Ansit and her granddaughter, Sibang Ansit, 18, were "just caught in crossfire."
"It was an unintended consequence. They were not deliberately killed. They were collateral damage," he said.
Dolorfino said the clash on Laminusa Island, which also resulted in the capture of 11 suspected terrorists, was legitimate.
"It's a legitimate armed encounter, the Marines were challenged by a group of armed men and we fought in self defense," he said.
Seven persons, including the Ansits, were killed when Marine soldiers clashed with suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists on Sunday.
Dolorfino said the Laminusa raid was a well-planned operation and the target was Abu Benhur alias Boy Tondo. The Sulu police identified Benhur as Siduman Bantala.
Dolorfino said that based on the report they got, Jemaah Islamiyah operative Zulkipli Bin Hir Marwan was also on Laminusa Island.
But Siasi Mayor Arthur Muksan, who has jurisdiction over Laminusa Island, called the operation a massacre after a team sent by his office went to the island and investigated.
"What had happened in Laminusa was a massacre. There is no truth to the military's claim about the existence of the Abu Sayyaf on that island," he said.
Muksan said Laminusa had been the most "peaceful island in the south."
Senior Supt. Joseph Ramac, Sulu police chief, said they checked the background of the victims and the police's conclusion was that "it was difficult to say if they were Abu Sayyaf members."
"At this time, we cannot confirm that those killed are Abu Sayyaf. We need more time here and we are going back to conduct another investigation and to determine what truly occurred," Ramac said.
Dolorfino said contrary to Muksan's statement, there was no massacre.
"It's just unfortunate that armed groups in the area reinforced Tondo, so the Marines acted in self defense," he said.
Dolorfino also said the Marines did not fire the first shot.
Sergeant Resty Bagares, who was wounded in the clash, said they were approaching one of the houses on Laminusa when they were suddenly met by a volley of gunfire.
"Our mission as we were briefed prior to the jump-off was to get Marwan, the JI member," Bagares said.
He said he was hit in the arm and on his back before he lost consciousness.
Muksan said the military also arrested 11 innocent people during the raid, among them Siowing village chief Imran Maung.
"They did not do anything," he said.
But Dolorfino said the suspects yielded 18 firearms.
He said they were facing charges of illegal possession of firearms.
"They were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and murder. The mere fact that we were able to secure 18 high powered firearms in the area and a bag of ammunition was sufficient to justify the arrest," he said.
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