5 Abu Sayyaf, one soldier killed in two Sulu clashes

July 20, 2018

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Six people, including five Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members, were killed while two others wounded in two separate clashes in Sulu, military officials said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the first clash occurred at midnight of Wednesday in the boundary of Barangays Tanum and Liang, Patikul town.

Pabayo said the troops from the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion were conducting focused military operation when they clashed with around 20 Abu Sayyaf members, led by sub-leader Almujer Yaddah.

Pabayo said the firefight resulted to the death of four ASG members and five others wounded “based on human intelligence.”    

He said a soldier died while two were wounded. They were taken to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo.

He said the wounded soldiers were airlifted on Thursday morning to Camp Navarro General Hospital.

Pabayo said the second clash happened around 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Tabu-Bato, Maimbung municipality between the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion and around 20 ASG members led by sub-leader Almadjan Sahidjuan alias Apoh Mike.

He said an Abu Sayyaf member was killed during the clash. The troops recovered his body and an M-16 Armalite rifle. DMS