Four Abu Sayyaf Group members and three soldiers were killed, while 22 others were wounded in a clash in Patikul, Sulu, on Friday.
Troops from the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion were patrolling at around 6:50 a.m. when they encountered around 80 Abu Sayyaf members in Sitio Atol, Barangay Latih, Western Mindanao Command spokesman Colonel Gerry Besana said.
The Abu Sayyaf encountered by the soldiers were under sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who allegedly masterminded the twin explosions at Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on January 27. At least 23 people were killed and over a hundred others were injured in that attack
The same group was also behind the April 2 attack on teachers in Patikul, leaving two of the police escorts injured, Besana added.
“The 30-minute fierce firefight resulted to four killed and nine wounded on the enemy (Abu Sayyaf) side while the AFP troops suffered three killed-in-action and 13 others wounded,” he said.
Troops under the Joint Task Force Sulu were pursuing the remaining members of the group encountered by the government forces, Besana noted
The injured soldiers were airlifted via helicopter to a military hospital in Jolo, he said.
“Most of the wounded soldiers suffered slight injury due to shrapnel wounds and are now in stable condition,” said Besana. Francisco Tuyay
Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo said the encounter was a result of information provided by locals
“With the people of Sulu now on our side, our fighting soldiers are very much motivated to finish off the terrorists the soonest possible time. We will further intensify our campaign against the ASG in Sulu. We will continuously hunt them down wherever and whoever they are,” he said. Francisco Tuyay