5 alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits die in clash  

March 2, 2017

ZAMBOANGA CITY– Five alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while 11 soldiers were wounded in a 10-minute clash as the military intensifies its rescue of 31 hostages in the province of Sulu.

Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., said the clash occurred around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay Bud Taran, Indanan, Sulu.

Galvez said residents told soldiers five bandits were killed.

He did not release the identities of the wounded soldiers except that they belong to the Army’s 2 nd Scout Ranger Battalion.

They were taken to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital for treatment. Of the 31 hostages, 26 are foreigners. They are: 12 Vietnamese; seven Indonesians; five Malaysians; five Filipinos; a Dutch; and a Korean. DMSand a Korean. DMS