ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government forces are tracking down members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who figured in a firefight with the troops in Basilan province, officials said Saturday.
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the clash occurred around 1:45 p.m. Friday in Barangay Benembengan, Sumisip after the troops under the 68th Infantry Battalion chanced upon 10 bandits while conducting a combat operation in the area.
Vinluan said the firefight lasted for about five minutes before the bandits fled, bringing along their casualties.
Bloodstains were found along the bandits' withdrawal route, he added.
Col. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan, said government troops are still scouring the area "to determine the number of casualties on the enemy side."
Gobway said soldiers were deployed to establish a blockade along the bandits' possible withdrawal routes. (PNA)
