2 soldiers killed in Abu Sayyaf ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least two soldiers were killed when they were ambushed by Abu Sayyaf militants in the outskirts of Patikul, Sulu, a military official said.

The military said the victims, Pfc. Rey Lucasan and Bryan Sayson, both under the 35th Infantry Battalion, were ambushed by four Abu Sayyaf members about 5 p.m. Sunday at Suhaya village in Barangay Latih.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said the soldiers, on civilian attires, were on board their motorcycle coming from the market when they were attacked.

Arrojado said the attackers were positively identified through their aliases as Surata and Mujir, with two unidentified others under the leadership of Muammar Askali alias Abu Ramy of the Ajang-Ajang Lucky 9 Patikul-based Abu Sayyaf group.

He said the two soldiers died on the spot and the suspects quickly fled toward Patikul. 

Troops immediately launched pursuit operations and caught up after two hours with at least 10 Abu Sayyaf militants.

Arrojado said the encounter sparked for 5 minutes but the Abu Sayyaf managed to escape in the dark.

The government troops recovered one M16 rifle, Browning Automatic Rifle caliber 30 and a cellphone.

Arrojado alerted the battalion commanders to take extra caution as the Abu Sayyaf group were into low-intensity type of attacks against government forces by deploying assassins.

“The soldiers were cautioned and counter action has been implemented to identify the enemy,” Arrojado said.

He said they observed a similar strategy that is also being used by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters against troops of the 6th Army Division in Central Mindanao.