Abu Sayyaf attack in Philippines leaves 9 dead, 11 hurt

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) -- Suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists attacked a village in the predominantly Muslim province of Basilan, killing nine people and injuring 11 others.

Col Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, said an undetermined number of armed men attacked Barangay Tubigan in Maluso town early Monday morning.

"Civilians were shot by the bandits and they burned four houses, including a daycare center in the area," Uy said.

He said three women and six men were killed while three women were among the wounded.

The Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf is led by Isnilon Hapilon, who moved to Central Mindanao to join the Daesh-linked Maute Group, which attacked Marawi City on May 23, igniting a war that has raged for nearly three months.

The military said Hapilon, who is reportedly the Southeast Asian emir of Daesh, failed to recruit the Sulu faction of the Abu Sayyaf group to support the international terrorist network.