12 Abu Sayyaf killed, five soldiers wounded in Sulu: military

April 12, 2019

ZAMBOANGA CITY - 12 Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while five soldiers were wounded in four separate clashes in Sulu, military officials said Friday. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the first clash ensued around 10:37 a.m. Thursday in Sitio Bud Taming, Barangay Panglayahan, Patikul.

Besana said the firefight broke out when the troops from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion encountered some 120 Abu Sayyaf bandits led by bandit leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan while on combat operation in Sitio Bud Taming, Barangay Panglayahan.

Besana said the Abu Sayyaf bandits fled towards the southwest.

Besana said the second firefight broke out around 3:43 p.m. Thursday in Sitio Kan-Isnain, Barangay Kabbon Takas, Patikul.

He said the clash ensued as the troops from the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion engaged some 80 Abu Sayyaf bandits who are followers of Sawadjaan and Almujer Yadah.

He said the bandits scampered to different directions.

The third firefight ensued around 5:13 p.m. Thursday as the troops from the Army’s 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with 10 Abu Sayyaf members while on blocking position in Sitio Tambang, also in Barangay Kabbon Takas.

Besana said the firefight lasted for two hours and 30 minutes, after which bandits withdrew, bringing their casualties.

Besana said amid the hot pursuit operation on fleeing enemies previously encountered by the troops, soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion engaged with another group of Abu Sayyaf bandits also in Sitio Tambang, Barangay Kabbon Takas at 5:26 p.m. of the same day.

He said the Abu Sayyaf bandits that figured in the firefight with the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion troops have fought the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion troops.

He said the troops gathered “reports from the ground” 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits died while several were wounded during the clashes.

Besana said troops retrieved two remains of Abu Sayyaf gunmen at Barangay Kabbon Takas.

He said the troops also recovered a pair of night vision goggles, 40 makeshift tents, 50 water containers, and five sacks of rice.

The five wounded soldiers were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the support and cooperation of the local community led to the successful conduct of operations and “that troops’ morale is also high due to the people’s continuous support.” DMS