ZAMBOANGA CITY - A soldier was killed while three others were wounded in a clash between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu Thursday, February 14.

Lieutenant General Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said members of the Army’s 6th Special Forces Battalion were conducting combat operation in Barangay Igasan in Patikul, Sulu when they chanced upon the Abu Sayyaf bandits at around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

Dela Vega said the firefight lasted for about 20 minutes.

The bandits withdrew to different directions and were being pursued by the troops as of 5 p.m. Thursday.

The identities of the casualties have not been divulged. The wounded soldiers were transported to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu. (SunStar Philippines)