Sayyaf bandit dies in Sulu clash, 20 soldiers hurt

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed while 20 soldiers were wounded in a firefight in the hinterlands of Sulu, the military disclosed Thursday.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, said the firefight broke out in Barangay Langhub, Patikul, Sulu at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Besana said the fight broke out after troops of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion encountered more or less 40 ASG bandits led by sub-leaders Idang Susukan and Ben Tattoo while on security operations.

He identified the slain ASG bandit as Alpata Abdurasa.

He also disclosed that 18 of the 20 wounded soldiers sustained slight shrapnel wounds caused by the explosion of an M-203 grenade while the remaining two suffered gunshot injuries. They were taken to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu.

He said the ASG bandits dragged their casualties when they scampered to different directions.

Westmincom chief, Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commended the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu “for their untiring dedication to their duties.”

“Rest assured all battle casualties will be given prompt and due medical treatment,” Dela Vega said.

“We will continuously intensify our operations to expedite the neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf Group until the peace that the people of Sulu deserve is attained,” he added. (PNA)