By AARON B. RECUENCO
Fighting broke out once again between government troops and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) some two weeks after the Marawi City siege ended, resulting in the death of six soldiers and the wounding of four others.
Lt. Gen Carlito Galvez, commanding general of the Western Mindanao Command (WesminCom), said the clash erupted while elements of the 18th Infantry Battalion were conducting operations targeting ASG elements under Siar Alhamsirol and Parong Tedi in Barangay Upper Cabengbeng in Sumisip, Basilan, Wednesday afternoon.
“As they edged towards the circumferential road, the operating troops were met with heavy gunfire from lawless elements believed to be relatives and sympathizers of the Abu Sayyaf bandits,” added Col. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan.
Uy said the beleaguered troops had to call on air support from the Philippine Air Force around 2 p.m. due to the sheer number of the enemies. They also called for reinforcement from the 64th and 68th Infantry Battalions.
Galvez claimed the ASG suffered an undetermined number of casualties following the fire fight, which lasted some four hours.
Meanwhile, the deceased soldiers have been airlifted to Zamboanga City.
“Two of the remains have already been claimed by their next of kin,” Galvez said.
The wounded were subsequently brought to Camp Navarro General Hospital for medical attention.
Government troops have been dealing with the ASG for almost two decades now.
Earlier, one of its Basilan-based leaders, IsnilonHapilon,who was designated emir of the Southeast Asia caliphate being established by the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq here, was killed after leading the Marawi City siege on May 23.
