ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and a soldier were killed and nine others were wounded in a 30-minute encounter in Patikul, Sulu, Saturday afternoon.
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMincom) commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion and 12th Reconnaissance Company encountered 40 ASG members under sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Sitio Tambang, Barangay Kabbon Takas, Patikul.
Based on a report, the firefight resulted in the death of four ASG members and wounding of several others.
A soldier was also killed and nine others wounded during the clash, Sobejana reported. The wounded were immediately brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital.
WestMinCom through the Joint Task Force Sulu has recently intensified its focused operations to crush the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.
While scouring the encounter site, troops recovered the body of one of the four slain ASG men; one M16 rifle and personal belongings of the fleeing bandits, Sobejana said.
“The spotted crumbs of human flesh and bloodstains in the encounter site are indicatives of ASG’s enormous casualties other than the cadaver recovered” said Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of 1101st Brigade.
“The untimely death of one of our soldiers will never weaken our spirits in our fight against terrorism. His ultimate sacrifice will serve as our inspiration and motivation in hunting down the remaining ASG in Sulu,” JTF Sulu commander Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan said. (Nonoy E Lacson)