5 Abu Sayyaf killed, 6 soldiers wounded in Sulu

March 15, 2018

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Five Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members were reported have been killed while six soldiers were wounded in the latest fighting to rescue ten remaining hostages in Sulu, officials said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the firefight took place around 2:31 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Panglahayan, Patikul municipality.

Sobejana said troops have received reports five Abu Sayyaf members were killed but their bodies  were dragged by their fleeing companions.

Four wounded soldiers were taken to Camp Bautista Station Hospital while the other two were airlifted to this city.

The firefight ensued as the troops of the Army’s 5th Scout Ranger Battalion led by Lt. Col. Marlon Jomalesa chanced upon a group of 30 ASG members.

Bandits who figured in the firefight were followers of Radulan Sahiron, the oldest among the Abu Sayyaf commanders, and of sub-leaders Julie Ekit, Amlon Abthi and Amah Asam.

“In his report, Lt. Col. Jomalesa said that they were able to creep in as close as 20 meters that is why they were able to fire at the enemy at close range,” Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said.

“They were just very careful due to the possible presence of kidnap victims with the Abu Sayyaf,” Galvez added.

The Abu Sayyaf are holding three Indonesians, one Dutch, one Vietnamese, and five Filipinos.

Sobejana said troops of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion reinforced the Scout Rangers that prompted the Abu Sayyaf to flee.

The Joint Task Force Sulu have recovered 14 firearms in combat operations while 24 were surrendered by the Abu Sayyaf. DMS