SIX people, including five Abu Sayyaf bandits, were killed while two others wounded in separate clashes as government offensive continue against the bandits in Sulu province, the military said Friday, July 20, 2018.
The first clash happened at midnight of Wednesday in the boundary of the villages of Tanum and Liang, Patikul and the second around 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Tabu-Bato village, Maimbung.
Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the troops from the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion were conducting focused military operation when they clashed at midnight of Wednesday with around 20 Abu Sayaaf Group (ASG) members led by sub-leader Almujer Yaddah.
Pabayo said the firefight resulted to the death of four ASG members and five others wounded “based on human intelligence.”
He revealed that a soldier have died while two others were wounded, who were immediately taken to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital Jolo, the capital town of Sulu.
The task force commander said the wounded soldiers were airlifted on Thursday morning to Camp Navarro General Hospital for further medication.
He said the troops of the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion clashed around 9:30 a.m. Thursday with around 20 Abu Sayyaf bandits led by sub-leader Almadjan Sahidjuan alias Apoh Mike.
Pabayo said an ASG member was killed during the clash. The troops have recovered the remains of the slain ASG bandit and an M-16 Armalite rifle. (SunStar Philippines)