MANILA, Philippines - Three soldiers, including two officers, were killed while six others were wounded after they were ambushed by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu, before noon Wednesday.
Initial reports said that the troops of the Philippine Army's 32nd Infantry Battalion, were on board trucks and on their way to their headquarters after securing a construction project in Sitio Datag, Barangay Panglayahan in Patikul town at around 11:15 a.m.
When the convoy reached Sitio Wani, Barangay Pansul, one of the trucks hit a landmine. After the blast, armed men fired at the troops and then retreated after a two-hour firefight.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Resty Padilla said the ASG is trying to retaliate after losing several members in recent encounters.
"Bumabawi lang sila...but there is a continuing operation against them," Padilla said.