ZAMBOANGA CITY – A junior officer of the Philippine Army was killed while nine others were wounded as the government troops continued its offensives against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in the province of Sulu, officials said.
Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the troops were on combat operation when they clashed with a group of ASG bandits in Sitio Tubig Bukayon, Barangay Pansul.
Vinluan was unable to release the identity of the slain officer except to say his rank is first lieutenant and assigned with the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion. The wounded consisted of a sergeant, three private first classes, and five privates.
The troops are tracking down the ASG bandits who fled after the clash and bloodstains were visible in their withdrawal path, the Army official said.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the casualty and the wounded personnel "paid the ultimate sacrifice and nine personnel were wounded while fearlessly fighting the enemies and protecting the people of Sulu."
“The skirmishers between our forces and the ASG persist. As we actively support the civil government in preventing the spread of Covid-19, we also ensure that the people in the community are safe and secured from terrorism. In so doing, our troops from 32IB based in Sulu engaged in a heavy firefight against the ASG in Patikul that claimed the life of one brave soldier and wounding of nine others,” Sobejana said.
He said all forms of assistance will be provided to the slain and wounded soldiers. (PNA)
