AN ABU Sayyaf Group (ASG) member was killed, while 20 soldiers were wounded in a firefight in the hinterlands of Sulu, military officials said Thursday, August 23.
Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the firefight broke out around 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the village of Langhub, Patikul, Sulu.
The firefight broke out as the troops of the Army's 41st Infantry Battalion, while on security operation, chanced upon a group of 40 ASG bandits led by sub-leaders Idang Susukan and Ben Tattoo, said Besana.
He said the slain ASG bandit was identified as Alpata Abdurasa.
Besana said 18 of the 20 wounded soldiers sustained slight shrapnel wounds caused by the explosion of an M-203 grenade, while the remaining two suffered gunshot wounds.
The wounded soldiers were taken to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu.
Besana said the ASG bandits dragged their casualties when they scampered to different directions as bloodstains speckled at the clash site.
Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, commended the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu "for their untiring dedication to their duties."
"We will continuously intensify our operations to expedite the neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf Group until the peace that the people of Sulu deserve is attained," Dela Vega said, as he assured that the wounded soldiers will be given prompt medical treatment.
The military forces continue their security operation in a bid to rescue the 10 hostages, who are still in the hands of the ASG bandits.
The hostages include three Indonesians, a Dutch, a Vietnamese and five Filipinos. (SunStar Philippines)