6 Abu Sayyaf killed, 8 soldiers wounded in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Six Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while eight soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu on Wednesday night.

The military said soldiers of the 45th Infantry Battalion (IB) clashed with an undetermined number of bandits in Barangay Latih at around 6 p.m.

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman, said the bandits withdrew after about 35 minutes of gunfights.

Encinas said pursuing troops recovered the bodies of three of the fatalities, who were identified as Guro Khalid, Udal Muhamadar Said and an alias Budah. 

“Based on reports, three more enemies were killed and many others were wounded,” Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Division commander, said citing intelligence reports.

 The wounded soldiers were initially brought to a military hospital at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo. They were later transferred to the Camp Navarro General Hospital.

Encinas said the bandits could be the same group that soldiers of the 21st IB encountered on April 17. 

Eleven soldiers were killed and 14 others were wounded in the gunfight in Barangay Danag.

The soldiers also lost a number of firearms and some personal belongings.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom commander, said ground forces were ordered to intensify their operations against Abu Sayyaf bandits.

“We are sustaining our focused military operations in Sulu to finish the Abu Sayyaf and bring peace in the province,” Sobejana said.

“Please continue to pray for the safety of our soldiers who render unselfish service to win peace as we equally pray for our protection against the coronavirus disease 2019,” he said. – With Jaime Laude