ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members were killed in the continuing military offensives against the bandits in Sulu province, military officials said Monday.
Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the latest firefight broke out around 7:58 a.m. Monday on Simusa Island, Banguingui, Sulu.
Besana said that troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 (MBLT-3) were on combat patrol when they clashed with ASG bandits led by sub-leader Najir Arik. The firefight lasted for about five minutes that resulted in the death of the three ASG bandits. The troops suffered no casualty.
Another gunfight occurred around 8:05 a.m. and lasted for about 20 minutes as the MBLT-1 troops caught the fleeing ASG bandits several hundred meters away from the previous clash site, Besana said.
No casualty was reported on the government side.
Last week, an ASG bandit was also killed while another was captured following a firefight, also on Simusa Island.
“The Joint Task Force Sulu continues to intensify the conduct of offensives against the Abu Sayyaf,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, commander of Westmincom.
“We are certain that all measures are now being undertaken, in accordance with the rules of engagement,” dela Vega said. (PNA)
