TWO Abu Sayyaf bandits, including a mid-level leader, were killed, while two soldiers were wounded in an intelligence-driven firefight in the hinterlands of Sulu, the military reported Monday, February 24.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the firefight happened around 1 p.m. Sunday in the village of Bakong, Patikul, Sulu.

Sobejana said the firefight broke out when the troops of the Army's 15th Scout Ranger Company chanced upon the groups of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan while on combat operation.

Sobejana said the firefight resulted in the death of two Abu Sayyaf bandits identified as Taullah Abdurasa alias Amah Ollah, a sub-leader, and Baby Ollah.

The troops also recovered two high-powered firearms belonging to the slain Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Sobejana said the rest of the bandits fled to different directions as they were pounded with mortars.

Sobejana said the two wounded soldiers, whose names were not immediately available, are currently undergoing treatment.

He said pursuit and deliberate offensives continue to pressure the Abu Sayyaf bandits, constricting their movement and preempting terror plots in the Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas.

He said they build up combat and intelligence operations to debilitate the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu. (SunStar Zamboanga)