Indonesian terror suspect wounded in Philippine clash

PHILIPPINES: A top Indonesian terror suspect and a Filipino militant were reportedly wounded during a fierce gunbattle with troops on southern Jolo island last week, military chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said Thursday.

Indonesian militant Dulmatin, who goes by one name, and Abu Sayyaf commander Umbra Jumdail, also known as Dr. Abu Pula, were reportedly wounded during the clash near Jolo's townships of Maimbung and Indanan, Esperon said, citing reports from troops and villagers.

"It's not yet confirmed, but it's very likely," Esperon told reporters. The military was trying to confirm details, including the nature of the wounds.

"If you have a wounded comrade, the tendency would be to avoid engaging in operations and simply hide," Esperon said.

Dulmatin and another Indonesian militant, Umar Patek, have reportedly been given sanctuary on Jolo by Abu Sayyaf commanders Radulan Sahiron and Umbra Jumdail, whose forces, along with Moro National Liberation Front guerrillas, killed 25 soldiers in a road ambush and clashes a week ago. Jumdail's son and a key Sahiron aide also were killed, the military said.

The two Indonesians, believed to be key operatives of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network, have long been hunted by U.S., Philippine and Indonesian authorities for allegedly helping mastermind the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202 people.

Manila, Thursday, AP