TWO more Abu Sayyaf Group bandits were reported killed in a skirmish with government troops in Indanan, Sulu Sunday morning.
The incident took place 6:45 a.m. when troopers from the 11th Scout Ranger Company, receiving reports about the presence of armed bandits, deployed a patrol, surprising eight brigands, two of whom were killed after a brief firefight.
Col. Rodrigo Gregorio, Joint Task Force Sulu spokesperson, said the body of one slain ASG was recovered along with a M-16 automatic rifle fitted with a M-203 grenade launcher and one improvised explosive device (IED).
The body of the remaining bandit was seen been carried deep into ASG territory, he added.
This brings to 38 the total number of ASG brigands killed since the intensified military campaign was launched in July.
Soldiers suffered 15 killed in action and 28 wounded in the same period.
Authorities believe that the ASG has splintered into small groups to evade soldiers and are planting IEDs to delay movements of government troops.
Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega said the successful pursuit is a “result of the cooperation of the community against the ASG.”
He also condemned the use of IED by the ASG saying “IEDs maim and kill individuals regardless whether they are soldiers or civilians and the main losers are the innocent people in the community. The use of IED is not only against the law but it is outrightly evil and un-Islamic.”
“The focused military operation will continue until we deal a crippling blow against the ASG and rescue the remaining hostages,” Dela Vega said, referring to the bandits’ kidnap victims.
Another clash erupted in Patikul between soldiers of the 21st Infantry Battalion and about 100 Abu Sayyaf fighters.
Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesman for the West Mindanao Command, said eight soldiers were wounded and that the enemy suffered an undetermined number of casualties.
He said the commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade has “directed all adjacent operating units to block the possible routes of enemy withdrawal while 105mm Howitzer cannons delivered four rounds and an MG 520 helicopter gunship provided close-air support. With PNA