ZAMBOANGA CITY--- Fresh fighting erupted between the government forces and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and lawless elements in the province of Basilan, military officials said Thursday.
The fighting broke out at around 12:41 p.m. Wednesday when troops of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion launched a strike operation against the ASG in Barangay Upper Cabengbeng, Sumisip municipality.
The target of the strike operation was the group of ASG leaders Siar Alhamsirol and Parong Tedi.
The beleaguered ASG members were reinforced by lawless elements that fought the 18th Infantry Battalion troops near the Basilan Circumferential Road in Sumisip.
“As they edged towards the circumferential road, operating troops were met with heavy fire by lawless elements believed to be relatives and sympathizers of the Abu Sayyaf bandits,” said Col. Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Basilan commander.
Uy said the firefight lasted for about four hours with an undetermined number of casualties on the Abu Sayyaf and lawless elements.
He said close air support was provided by the Air Force troops at around 2:11 p.m. Wednesday.
He said six soldiers were killed and four others were wounded as the forces of the Army’s 64th and 68th Infantry Battalions were met with enemy fire as they reinforced the beleaguered 18th Infantry Battalion troops.
The remains of the slain soldiers were transported to this city. Two of the remains were already claimed by the relatives.
The wounded were taken to the headquarters of the 64th Infantry Battalion and subsequently to Camp Navarro General Hospital and a private medical facility in this city for further medical attention.
“We are sad to report the death of six of our soldiers during the encounter yesterday (Wednesday) in Basilan,” Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said.
“As we mourn, combat operations against the bandits will be intensified with our intelligence operations and sustained campaign to defeat the remaining terrorists. Rest assured that this will not stop us from crushing the enemies of the state,” Galvez added. (PNA)
