5 soldiers wounded in Sulu clash with Abus

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  Five Army Scout Rangers and an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf bandits were wounded in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu yesterday.

The military said the wounded soldiers were brought to a military hospital at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Baustista in Jolo.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said government troopers clashed with around 30 followers of Radulan Sahiron in the jungles of Sitio Bunga in Barangay Pansul.

A sack of rice, cooking utensils, ammunition and a cell phone were recovered at the scene of the encounter, Lt. Col. Herbert Dilag, 5th Scout Ranger Battalion commander, said.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said gunfights erupted anew after government troopers chanced upon the bandits after five hours.