Troops pursue fleeing Abu Sayyaf bandits

THE military has launched pursuit operations against a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits who figured in a heavy firefight with soldiers in Basilan province on Tuesday, a military official said.

Tuesday’s firefight resulted in the death of three Abu Sayyaf bandits while four soldiers were wounded.

The firefight broke out around 10:45 a.m. in Sitio Baag, Guiong village, Sumisip town, when the troops chanced upon some 100 Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Amir Mingkong while conducting security operations.

Army’s First Infantry Division spokesman Captain Alberto Caber said the troops are pursuing Mingkong and his followers who fled to different directions.

Caber said Mingkong and his followers fled and have split into several smaller groups after the troops pounded them with artillery fire.

Two MG-520 rocket-firing helicopters also provided air support to the ground troops and strafed the Abu Sayyaf bandits’ position, Caber said.

The troops have recovered hundreds of assorted ammunitions abandoned by the Abu Sayyaf bandits at the height of the clash.