Troops, Sayyaf bandits clash in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Government troops recovered a firearm with ammunition abandoned by Abu Sayyaf bandits following a firefight in the province of Sulu, the military said Saturday.

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the clash occurred in Barangay Angilan, Omar, Sulu on Friday.

Dela Vega said the clash erupted as the troops from the 2nd Special Forces Battalion under the Joint Task Force Sulu chanced upon a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits while conducting reconnaissance in Barangay Angilan.

He said the troops overpowered the bandits, who fled southeast. No one was wounded among the troops, while the military has yet to determine if there were casualties on the enemy side.

The troops also recovered an M16A1 “Baby Armalite” with 19 rounds of ammunition during the clearing operation at the clash site.

“The Joint Task Force Sulu continues to intensify its campaign against the Abu Sayyaf with support from the local government and the populace,” dela Vega said.

“The command is right now at an advantage since the local government units, the Moro National Liberation Front, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the traditional leaders are helping government troops in fighting terrorism,” the military official added. (PNA)