Alleged Abu Sayyaf killed in Sulu encounter

October 8, 2019

A alleged Abu Sayyaf member was killed while another member was captured in a 20-minute clash with government troops in Sulu on Sunday.

Maj. Arvin Encinas, Armed Forced of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said troops encountered around 30 rebels at the vicinity of Sitio Kan Pataw, Barangay Upper Sinuman, Talipao, Sulu around 3:40 pm.

He said troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion recovered the body of the alleged Abu Sayyaf and his wife.

"Nursaina Jarad Sahi, who is also the militant’s wife, was nabbed in the engagement area with a firearm,"  he said.

"Sahi sustained shrapnel wounds and received immediate treatment at Camp Bautista Station Hospital," he added.

Encinas said soldiers notified the immediate family of Sahi about her condition. 

Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. attributed the operational gains to the cooperation and support of the Tausug community who reported the presence of militants in the locality. 

“It is unfortunate that Abu Sayyaf terrorists continue to endanger the lives of their own family and friends, like Ms. Nursaina. I feel sorry for her that she was abandoned, wounded and helpless during the firefight,” Vinluan said.

Encinas said the ground forces also recovered one M-16 rifle with an M-203 grenade launcher and one Galil rifle with an M-203 grenade launcher at the encounter site. Robina Asido/DMS