Three soldiers wounded in clash vs Abu Sayyaf

September 21, 2020

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Three soldiers were wounded in a clash as government troops continue military operations against the Abu Sayyaf bandits, who are still holding five Indonesian fishermen  captives in  Sulu.

Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division commander, said the clash took place Sunday in Sitio Bud Kaha, Barangay Bungkaung, Patikul.

Gonzales, also the Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the clash  lasted for about 45 minutes when the troops chanced upon around 20 Abu Sayyaf bandits.

“Three of our soldiers were slightly wounded in the encounter and we pray for their fast recovery,” Gonzales said.

He did not name the injured soldiers except to say they belong to the 45th Infantry Battalion.

He said  casualties on the side of the Abu Sayyaf bandits are yet to be determined.

The Indonesian fishermen were kidnapped on January 16 in the waters between Tambisan and Kuala Meruap, Lahad Datu, Sabah, close to the Philippine sea border. DMS