8 Abus killed, 13 soldiers hurt in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – At least eight Abu Sayyaf men were killed while 13 soldiers were wounded in an encounter in a village in Patikul, Sulu yesterday.

Ensign Chester Ramos, spokesman for Task Group Zambasulta, said troops encountered about 100 followers of Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron and two other Abu sub-leaders in Barangay Buhanginan at 11:50 a.m. 

Ramos said the Abu Sayyaf suffered many casualties but only eight were accounted for so far.

The clash was the fourth since Friday last week when the Abu Sayyaf group ambushed a military convoy in Patikul.

Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson for Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said government forces, led by Maj. Ibni Saddama under the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), launched the strike operation when they caught up with an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf led by Hairulah Asbang and Amlon Abtani at Sitio Kan Islam, Barangay Buhanginan.

Muyuela said the firefight ensued for more than an hour, forcing the enemy to retreat.

She said JTGS commander Col. Alan Arrojado said five soldiers were injured in the fresh offensive.

“The injuries sustained by the five soldiers were slight and need not any emergency medical evacuation,” Muyuela said.

She said troops near the engagement area have been conducting blocking operation to contain the Abu Sayyaf. “There is now an ongoing clearing operation in the area.”