Google map of Patikul town, Sulu.
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits died while two soldiers were wounded following a firefight in the province of Sulu, a top military said Monday.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the encounter broke out around 1 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu, when the troops belonging to the Army’s 15th Scout Ranger Company chanced upon the groups of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.
Sobejana said the firefight resulted in the death of ASG bandits Taullah Abdurasa alias Amah Ollah, a sub-leader, and Baby Ollah.
The troops also recovered two high-powered firearms belonging to the slain Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Sobejana said the two wounded soldiers, whose names were not immediately available, are currently undergoing treatment.
“Pursuit and deliberate offensives continue to pressure and pound down Abu Sayyaf fighters, constricting their movement and preempting terror ploys in the ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) area,” Sobejana said.
“We are building up combat and intelligence operations to debilitate the militants in Sulu,” he added. (PNA)
