The Philippine police and militaryTuesday concluded the prison assault launched by Abu Sayyaf suspects in Metro Manila, leaving 17 Abu Sayyaf inmates killed andfive policemen injured.

Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes Tuesday said in a briefing at the prison in Bicutan, Taguig, that the killed Abu Sayyaf suspectsincluded four top rebel commanders, Alhamzer Limbong alias Commander Kosovo, Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot, Nadzmie Saabdullah alias Commander Global and Hafti Dais alias Ka Lando.

However, the identities of the other fatalities are still underinvestigation, he said, adding that five police officers were wounded in the assault.

"They're (suspected rebel inmates) armed. They were firing at us and we fired back. We have a duty to ensure the safety of our men," Reyes said after the prison was kept under control followinga 105-minute assault.

According to police, Kosovo is on trial for the Superferry 14 terrorist bombing and kidnapping of tourists and workers from the Dos Palmas resort in May 2001. He is also accused of beheading American hostage Guillermo Sobero.

Robot is accused of leading the kidnapping of 21 people from Malaysia's Sipadan island in 2000.

The two notorious Abu Sayyaf heads reportedly organized the prison riot starting Monday morning when a Abu Sayyaf suspect seized a gun and killed three guards and held over 100 inmates as hostages, demanding a negotiation with the government.

After more than 24-hour standoff, police and military fired tear gas as commandos scaled the walls of the prison around 9:15 a.m. and then 300 members of the elite Special Action Force stormed the four-storied building, where more than 400 prisoners, including about 130 Abu Sayyaf suspects, are detained.

Reyes said the Abu Sayyaf inmates were given 15 minutes to surrender during the negotiation around 8:50 a.m., but they refused.

However, neither Reyes nor police officers disclosed the demandthe Abu Sayyaf suspects raised as the way to end this riot.

"We have no options left. This is a very difficult decision," Reyes told reporters before the assault began, adding that all peaceful ways were exhausted.

As of posting time, police forces are still conducting the clearing operations after evacuating the inmates.

In a statement issued after the assault, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo justified the use of force as necessary to kill suspected Abu Sayyaf detainees.

"The terrorists got what was coming to them," she said. "The crisis team gave them all the chances to peacefully surrender."

Meanwhile, Arroyo ordered an investigation on the siege. "A full-scale investigation will be conducted to pinpoint responsibility and see to it that this incident is not repeated."

However, Muslim leaders aiding authorities during negotiations with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits said that all peaceful means of resolving the conflict should have been tried before the assault was launched.

Anak ng Mindanao Rep. Mujiv Hataman said in a radio interview that they had lost communication with the suspected Abu Sayyaf members when the attack started.

Hataman said the authorities, when decision to assault the hostage-takers was reached, had already crossed a threshold where a peaceful resolution of the incident became almost impossible.

Source: Xinhua