By FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD
At least 10 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terroristS, including two close relatives of bandit leader Radullan Sahiron, were killed while scores of others were wounded as a result of the all-out offensive by government soldiers in Patikul, Sulu.
Army Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force Sulu said 18 soldiers were also wounded as a result of the fierce clash which started at 9 a.m. Friday.
Sobejana said the wounded soldiers were brought to the Army Hospital for treatment and that none of their wounds were life threatening.
However, the names of the wounded soldiers has yet to be release by the military.
Sobejana said troops of the JTF Sulu were conducting rescue operations on the kidnap victims of the bandit group when it encountered 120 fully armed members of the ASG under Sahiron in Brgy Igasan, Patikul, Sulu.
Sobejana said the firefight lasted for about two hours until the enemy retreated to a still unknown direction.
Sobejana said Joint Task Force Sulu troopers are relentlessly pursuing the Abu Sayyaf members.
“Troops are supported with strike helicopters, artilleries and armor assets,” said Sobejana.
AFP Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) spokeswoman Captain Jo-Ann D. Petinglay, said all-out offensives against the Abu Sayyaf by elements of the Joint Task Force Sulu continue in an effort to contain the bandits and rescue the remaining hostages in Sulu.
Petinglay said pursuit is being undertaken in coordination with the local government and the residents.
“This fight against terrorism will be successful as long as every sector of society will help and do their share of the work. We call on the people of Sulu to continually work with the government troops for peace and prosperity in the entire province,” said Major General Carlito G. Galvez Jr., the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said.
“If we win this and defeat the Abu Sayyaf, this will definitely benefit every child, man, and woman of Mindanao,” he added.
Four soldiers sustained gun shot wounds while the rest incurred minor splinter injuries during the firefight and were promptly extricated by troops to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista in Busbus, Jolo, Sulu for medical attention.
