THREE soldiers were wounded in a clash Sunday, September 20, as troops continued the focused military operation against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Sulu.

Brigadier General William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division commander, said the clash, which lasted for about 45 minutes, took place while the troops on combat operations chanced upon 20 Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sitio Bud Kaha in Bungkaung village, Patikul, Sulu.

Gonzales, who is also the Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said three soldiers from the 45 Infantry Battalion were slightly wounded in the encounter.

He said the casualties on the side of the Abu Sayyaf bandits are yet to be determined.

The focused military operations continued against the Abu Sayyaf bandits who are still holding captives five Indonesian fishermen.

The bandits kidnapped the five Indonesian fishermen on January 16 in the waters between Tambisan and Kuala Meruap, Lahad Datu, Sabah, close to the Philippine sea border.

Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said they will sustain the focused military operations to destroy enemy strongholds and to thwart terror plots. (SunStar Zamboanga)