Soldiers of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with about 20 members of the Abu Sayyaf-Ajang-Ajang Group in Patikul, Sulu Thursday.
A report reaching the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command disclosed that government troops encountered the terrorists under “Macrin” in Barangay Latih at about 7:20 a.m.
The gunfight ensued for about five minutes with no casualty on the government troops.
AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Col. Gerry Besana said operating troops continue
to pursue the fleeing bandits following the all-out war launched by the government against them following the Jolo, Sulu Cathedral blast last Sunday.
Last Tuesday, government forces neutralized an Abu Sayyaf militant in an intense gunfight with the Ajang-Ajang Group also in Patikul.
Besana said Ommal Usop was slain in the combined operations launched by military and police forces at the residence of Kamah, a member of the Ajang-Ajang Group, in Barangay Latih at around 5:40 p.m.
Usop resisted arrest, prompting the military and police to return fire.
Government troops recovered a caliber .45 pistol, five rounds of ammunition, and a sniper scope from Usop.
Besana said troops continue to pursue Kamah, who eluded arrest. Kamah is the logistics officer of the Abu Sayyaf and the suspect behind the bomb attacks in Jolo.
Soldiers of the Joint Task Force Sulu turned over the cadaver of Usop to the barangay officials for proper disposition.
Operating troops consisted of the Philippine Marine Ready Fleet Sulu, the 35th Infantry Battalion, the 1101st Infantry Brigade, and the Special Action Forces, Philippine National Police. (Francis Wakefield)