Sulu clash leaves Sayyaf man dead

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines   – A suspected Abu Sayyaf militant was killed in an encounter with government troops in Patikul town in Sulu Friday, the military reported yesterday.

The slain militant has not been identified, but soldiers recovered his remains following a firefight in Barangay Kabuntakas at around 1:45 p.m., said Brig. Gen. Matin Pinto, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade based in Jolo.

Pinto said the Marines also recovered the suspect’s M16 Armalite rifle.

He said the soldiers were pursuing a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits they encountered the other week when they chanced upon one of its splinter factions, resulting in a brief firefight.

In an earlier encounter, seven soldiers were killed and 24 others were wounded, but an intelligence report showed the bandit group suffered 19 fatalities and 20 wounded, said Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Muyuela said in Friday’s firefight, the Abu Sayyaf retreated, leaving their slain comrade behind. 

The military official expressed the belief the splinter faction could be part of a ploy to slow down the military troops pursuing the main bandit group, who are believed to be holding several persons, including six foreigners, hostage.