By MARTIN A. SADONGDONG
Eleven soldiers were killed while 14 others were wounded in an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu yesterday.
The fatalities belong to the Delta Company of the 21st Infantry Battalion, according to Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command.
The Wesmincom has released a report with the names of the fatalities and wounded but Tempo won’t disclose their names pending notification of relatives.
Sobejana said they have yet to determine the number of casualties from the enemy.
Troops were conducting combat operations in Sitio Bud Lubong in Barangay Danag around 3:05 p.m. when the encounter erupted, Sobejana said. The firefight lasted for one hour, he added.
The military said reinforcements have been fielded to run after the ASG.
The group of ASG that the troops engaged is believed to be led by notorious leaders Radullah Sahiron and Hadjan Sawadjaan.
They are the brains behind some of the worst terror attacks in the Philippines.
Sawadjaan is regarded in the military community as the “emir” or leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Southeast Asia.
Sobejana said they have expressed condolences to the families of the slain soldiers.
“The Western Mindanao Command emphatizes with the bereaved families of our fallen heroes who, with their intestinal fortitude, fought hard and braved the encounter against the Abu Sayyaf Group,” he said.
He said the military will exert all efforts to notify and accord the families of the slain soldiers with assistance.
Sobejana said the wounded soldiers were given prompt medical treatment.
He said the Westmincom will sustain their security operations against the ASG while enforcing the community quarantine in Mindanao.
