AN ABU Sayyaf bandit was killed, while three soldiers were wounded in a clash that ensued while government forces were conducting focused military operations in the province of Sulu, officials said Friday, May 14, 2021.

Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the clash happened around 7:55 a.m. in Sitio Urot, Kagay village, Indanan, Sulu.

Vinluan said the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu troopers were conducting combat operations when they clashed with a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sitio Urot. The firefight lasted for about five minutes.

The rest of the Abu Sayyaf bandits scampered to different directions, leaving behind the remains of their slain comrade, who was later identified as Arab Undo, said Major General William Gonzales, JTF-Sulu commander.

Gonzales said Undo, whose remains were taken to Camp General Teodulfo Baustista for proper disposition, was one of the remaining followers of slain Abu Sayyaf senior leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

The troops also recovered during the clearing operations a caliber .45 pistol, a backpack, one solar panel, personal belongings, and foodstuff good for 10 persons.

The identities of the wounded soldiers were not immediately available but they belong to the 1101st Infantry Brigade.

Brigadier General Antonio Bautista, 1101st Infantry Brigade commander, said the wounded soldiers were immediately extricated from the clash site and brought to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for treatment.

"They are now in stable condition," Bautista added.

The JTF-Sulu has so far neutralized a total of 94 Abu Sayyaf bandits, eight of which were killed, 76 surrendered, and 10 were apprehended since January this year.

Meanwhile, Vinluan said that Westmincom through the JTF-Sulu continues to conduct military operations and maximize intelligence monitoring with the assistance of other partners and stakeholders to disallow the Abu Sayyaf bandits to create havoc in the communities and preempt their terroristic activities. (SunStar Zamboanga)