Abu Sayyaf camp overrun by RP troops

Abu Sayyaf camp overrun by RP troops

Agence France-Presse, Zamboanga, Philippines

Philippine troops have overrun an Abu Sayyaf guerrilla camp on the southern island of Basilan following a clash that left five gunmen dead, an official said on Sunday.

Army soldiers stumbled onto the camp near Basilan's Lantawan town on Saturday, Colonel Roland Detabali said.

By nightfall, the soldiers had forced their way into the camp and recovered the bodies of five Abu Sayyaf rebels after their comrades fled into surrounding jungle, Detabali said.

"Pursuit operation is ongoing and we expect more clashes any time," he said.

There was no sign of three hostages held by the Muslim guerrillas: U.S. Christian missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipina nurse Deborah Yap.

On Sunday, Martin's father, Paul Burnham, and the couple's children aired an emotional appeal over a local radio station for the safe and swift release of the hostages.

"We are hoping that they will be released soon. The children really do miss their parents," Paul Burnham told Radio Mindanao Network.

John Paul Burnham, one of the hostage couple's children, said: "I just wanted to let the captors of my parents know that I really miss them a lot.

"I miss my mom and I miss my dad. So if you could please let them free. Please let them go. Dad and mom, if you are listening now, I want you to know that I love and miss you and pray for you every day."

The Abu Sayyaf, which has been linked to the al-Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden, is now the subject of joint U.S.-Philippine military operations on Basilan.

Some 660 U.S. special forces troops are assisting the Filipino military in its hunt against the rebels.