14 killed in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least 14 people, including nine Abu Sayyaf militants and five soldiers, were killed in a firefight Friday afternoon in the mountains of Talipao, Sulu.

At least 20 soldiers were also wounded in the gunbattle.

Military officials said the encounter happened on Bud Bungao (Mountain Bungao) at around 1:50 p.m. It said an airstrike was launched on the area before the gunbattle.

Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the troops clashed with the combined groups of Abu Sayyaf leaders Radullan Sahiron, Hatib sawadjaan and Julie Ekit.

“The fighting resulted 9 of the Abu Sayyaf members killed and undetermined others wounded. The government side suffered at least 4 soldiers killed in action,” Muyuela said.

Meanwhile, security escorts of Talipao Mayor Tamrin Tulawie reported that at least 5 bodies belonging to goverbment soldiers were retrieved from the clash site and about 20 others were wounded in the fighting.