Abu Sayyaf dies, 5 soldiers wounded in clash

July 7, 2017

ZAMBOANGA CITY - An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member allegedly involved in  illegal drugs was killed while five soldiers were wounded in a clash early Friday, a  military official said. Col. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, said the clash occurred around 7:30 a.m. in Sitio Block 41, Barangay Bohe Pahuh, Ungkaya Pukan. Uy said soldiers raided the suspect’s hideout during a law enforcement operation. Ungkaya Pukan Vice Mayor Joel Maturan identified the slain ASG member as Tules Pangamdas. Uy did not reveal the five injured soldiers except to say they are with the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion. Maturan said Pangamdas utilizes proceeds of his illegal drugs trade to finance the operations of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan. The troops recovered two firearms of Pangamdas: an M2 carbine and an M-79 grenade launcher as well as hard drugs. DMS -