10 Abu Sayyaf, 2 soldiers killed in Sulu encounter

May 14, 2018

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Ten Abu Sayyaf members and two soldiers, were killed while 14 were wounded in an hour-long firefight in the province of Sulu as the military continued its quest to rescue kidnap victims, including two policewomen.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said Monday the firefight broke out around 6:15 a.m. Sunday in Sitio Kan Alas, Barangay Tanum, Patikul municipality.

Sobejana said the gunmen who were in the firefight were followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, Idang Susukan, Injam Yadah, and Ben Tattoh.

He said the Abu Sayyaf fled to different directions after an hour of fighting.

He said four of the 10 slain Abu Sayyaf bandits were  identified as Amah Talah, Taha Sawadjaan (the younger brother of Hatib), Long Abraham, and a certain Abu Red.

He said two of the 14 wounded were Abu Sayyaf members, namely, Ben Quirino alias Abu Ben Tatto and Adzren Sawadjaan.

Sobejana did not reveal the names of the two slain and 12 wounded soldiers except saying they belong to the Army’s 5th Scout Ranger Battalion.

The Abu Sayyaf are still holding captives 12 hostages, broken down into three Indonesians, one Vietnamese, one Dutch and seven Filipinos. DMS