Abu casualties mount after 3-hour firefight

From the Manila Standard Today (May 2): Abu casualties mount after 3-hour firefight

The Abu Sayyaf Group suffered more casualties during a three-hour intense fighting with the military at a known lair in Patikul, Sulu, thus bringing to 25 the number of its dead members since the clashes broke out on Tuesday.

The military confirmed that Yasser Igasan, a prominent leader of the bandit group, was wounded during the clash between a contingent of the 2nd Marine Brigade and some 300 ASG elements at Sitio Kan Jimao, Barrage Buhanginan, Patikul.

Capt Ryan Lacuesta, civilian-military operations chief of the 2nd Marine Brigade said 25 militants were killed in the bloody clash  after the bandits tried to retake their camp.

Lacuesta said that the ASG men were led by Commanders Idan Susukan, Ninok Sappari, also known as Igasan and Radullan Sahiron, the top leader of the ASG.

Lt. Gen Rustico Guerrero, Western Mindanao Commander chief,  confirmed that 20 of the 25 dead ASG rebels have been identified by the residents of Patikul. A soldier was also slain while 17 marine soldiers, including   two junior officers were wounded but their names were temporarily withheld pending notifications of their next of kin.

The Marines fired 105mm artillery and 81 mortars, backed by MG529 attack helicopters to flush out the ASG from their underground bunkers.

The ASG attack was meant to avenge the killing of 18 of their comrades in Basilan battle with army troopers and retake their camps with makeshit huts that was seized by the military during Monday’s firefight, the official said.   

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/05/02/abu-casualties-mount-after-3-hour-firefight/