TWO Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in clashes in the Province of Sulu, the military reported Saturday, April 24, 2021.
Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the initial firefight took place around 9:30 a.m. Friday while the Joint Task force Sulu troopers were on focused military operations in Taung, Taglibi and Panglayahan villages in Patikul town.
Vinluan said the firefight, which lasted for about five minutes, resulted in the death of two Abu Sayyaf bandits identified as Mujafal Sawadjaan and Muktihar Taha. The rest of the bandits fled.
He said Mujafal, who was in the Abu Sayyaf watchlist as of the end of 2020, is the brother of notorious bandit leader and bomber Mudzimar Sawadajaan alias Abu Mundi.
Major General William Gonzales, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said sporadic firefight followed after the clash at 9:30 a.m. as troops pursued the fleeing Abu Sayyaf members.
There were no reported casualties on both the troops and Abu Sayyaf bandits in succeeding sporadic clashes.
Vinluan said the focused military operation of Joint Task Force Sulu is aimed to finish off the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf in the province. (SunStar Zamboanga)