ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Five Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while five soldiers were wounded in a clash in the province of Sulu, a top military official said on Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, disclosed the firefight happened at around 6 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Upper Binuang, Talipao town.
Sobejana said the troops were on combat patrol when they encountered 20 bandits led by Abu Sayyaf leader Idang Susukan.
He said the bandits fled leaving behind their slain companions.
He said the troops also recovered three high-powered firearms.
He did not release the identities of the wounded soldiers except to say they belong to the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion.
The government offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group has continued in the province of Sulu, Sobejana said. (TPGJR/PNA)
