Three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were wounded in an encounter with the military chasing the bandit group in Panamao, Sulu Wednesday.
A report from the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command disclosed that the encounter between patrolling troops of the 10th Infantry Battalion and the ASG led by Alhabsy Misaya occurred in Barangay Pugad Manaul at 9:05 a.m.
Army Major Felimon Tan Jr., AFP Westmincom spokesman, said three ASG fighters were wounded while no casualties were reported on the government side.
On Tuesday, two notorious kidnappers under Alhabsy Misaya were killed by Joint Task Force Sulu conducting operations against them in Daungdung, Pata, Sulu.
Tan identified them Nixon Muktadil and Brown Muktadil.
The Armed Forces said the death of the Muktadil brothers is a big blow to the ASG as they lost their main sea navigators during kidnapping activities.
“Close air support is being provided by augmenting troops as of this moment to hunt down the other ASG fighters,” Tan said.
Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, attributed the success of their operations to the positive cooperation of residents. (Francis T. Wakefield)