Two alleged Abu Sayyaf killed in Sulu

February 24, 2020

Two alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf were killed while two soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Sulu on Sunday afternoon.


Maj. Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), said the clash occured at the vicinity of  Brgy. Bakong, Patikul around 1 pm.


Encinas said the troops of 15th Scout Ranger Company encountered the  group of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.


"Mortar teams immediately delivered fire support to the engaged troops," he said.


"The firefight resulted to the killing  of two ASG members identified as ASG sub-leader Taullah Abdurasa alias Amah Ollah and Baby Ollah," he said.

Encinas said wounded were Cpl. Edgardo Turno Rebotaso, Pfc Roger Gimoto, PFC Lyle Jay Kimpal, Cpl Florante Bagasin and Pfc Florentino Dalingay.

Encinas said the clash also resulted in the recovery of two high powered firearms.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the "pursuit and deliberate offensives continue to pressure and pound down Abu Sayyaf fighters, constricting their movement and preempting terror ploys in the ZamBaSulTa area."


"We build up combat and intelligence operations to debilitate the militants in Sulu," he added. Robina Asido/DMS