Navy operatives, checking into reports that armed men were seen in Panglima Sugala town, came under fire after Nasser Dammang, head of Barangay Magsaggoa, who they tried to approach fled from his house into the woods with several armed men, Navy spokesman Capt. Geronimo Malabanan said.
Troops fired warning shots, but the gunmen refused to surrender and returned fire.
Suspected Abu Sayyaf guerrilla Mangsan Ladjabassan was killed and another, Barly Galib, was captured, Malabanan said. Others fled, including Dammang. Roel Pareño