7 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in fresh Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Seven members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed and 13 others, including soldiers, were hurt in another encounter between government troops and the bandits in Patikul, Sulu on Friday.

Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the fresh clash took place at around noon when pursuing troops from the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion caught up with the Abu Sayyaf banits, who were trying to evade government forces in Barangay Buhanginan.

The latest number of fatalities increased the Abu Sayyaf's death toll in the clashes to 21. Two goverment troopers have so far been confirmed killed in the clashes and 23 wounded since Wednesday.

Muyuela said reports from the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS) disclosed that Friday's clash came as troops intensified pursuit operations in the area of Patikul while other units, including police forces have cordoned off the area to prevent the militants from slipping out.

The wounded soldiers were immediately evacuated to the military trauma hospital in Jolo for treatment. The wounded soldiers were described to be in stable condition.

Ensign Chester Ian Ramos, spokesman of the Joint Task Group Zambasulta, said maritime operations have been conducted also in the coastal waters of Sulu to prevent the Abu Sayyaf group from slipping out from the main island aboard motorized banca and speedboat.

Ramos said the operating forces on maritime patrol have so far seized four motorized bancas.