BY MARTIN SADONGDONG
A Philippine Army scout ranger and two alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants were killed while seven other soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday as the military pursued bomb expert Mundi Sawadjaan.
Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said the 30-minute encounter also resulted in the wounding of seven soldiers. The identities of the casualties were not available as of this Sunday.
Vinluan also confirmed that Sawadjaan, whose group has been blamed for the August 24 suicide bombings in Jolo town, is in Patikul with ASG top commander Radullan Sahiron.
“All along, he (Sawadjaan) was not there (in Jolo). He was away from the site and only the suicide bombers delivered the bombs,” Vinluan told reporters on Sunday.
According to a report from the WestMinCom, the clash occurred at 9:55 a.m. in Sitio Baunoh Botong, Barangay Kabon Takas when elements of 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion exchanged fire with about 30 armed men.
The enemies were forced to withdraw after being overpowered by the soldiers.
Another encounter happened between the same suspects and elements of 5th Scout Ranger Battalion while the militant group was escaping.
“Our troops are in pursuit of the evading local terrorists in the hinterlands of Patikul,” said Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu.
While the soldiers were conducting clearing operations, they discovered the remains of one of the two slain suspected ASG fighters.
The death of the other ASG combatant was reported by the military “based on intelligence report.”
The local government unit of Zamboanga City has offered a P3-million reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of Sawadjaan and two other alleged ASG cohorts identified as couple Andi Baso and Reski Fantasya alias Cici.
According to the Zamboanga LGU, Baso and Fantasya are both Indonesian suicide bombers who are also responsible for the August 24 Jolo bombings.
Baso was described as around 17 to 25 years old, with light body build, and about 5’5″ tall; while Fantasya is about 17 to 22 years old.
Any information about the presence of the three wanted suspects may be relayed to the Joint Task Force Zamboanga City through their hotlines 0917-710-2326, 0916-535-8106, and 0928-396-9925; and to Zamboanga City Police Office’s 0977-855-8138. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
