5 ASG, 18 soldiers killed in Basilan clash

BASILAN -- Five members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria linkedAbu Sayyaf Group, including an allegedforeign terrorist, were killed and at least 20 others were injured in a day long fire fight with government forces in Basilan, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said Sunday.Maj. Filemon Tan, Westmincom spokesperson, identified two ofthe slain terrorists asMoroccan Mohammad Khattab, a supporter of Isnilon Hapilon, one of the most senior leaders of the terror group based in Basilan, and Hapilon's son Ubaida. Hapilon is one of the most wanted terrorists in the Phililppineslisted in the USFederal Bureau of Investigationwith up to $5-million bounty for his capture.Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Radzmil Jannatul alias Kubayb was also critically injured, Tan said.A military source said at least 18 soldiers were also killed in the fighting that occurred in Tipo-Tipo town.At least 50 other members of the 44th Infantry Battalion were also injured. The fighting came a dayafter the jihadists freed former Italian missionary priest turned trader Rolando del Torchio.Sporadic fighting continued until Sunday dawn, the source said.