ASG death toll in Patikul encounter rises to 9

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 10): ASG death toll in Patikul encounter rises to 9

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday announced that the number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits killed in a fierce engagement in Patikul town, Sulu climbed to nine from 6 reported Thursday.

The number of wounded brigands also soared to 14 or four higher than the 10 reported April 9.

AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said such information was based on the updated report by field units who conducted clearing operations in the encounter site.

“Nine Abu Sayyaf members were killed and 14 others were wounded during the firefight,” Cabunoc said in Filipino.

Earlier, the AFP revealed that six members of the local terrorist group died in the firefight, which ensued at around 10:30 a.m.Thursday.

Two soldiers were killed and 15 others, including two officers, were also hurt during the gun-battle.

Members of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion were conducting patrols when they spotted about 250 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the vicinity of Sitio Nangka in Barangay Gata.

Cabunoc said ASG sub-leader Radullan Sahiron, who has been included in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s list of most wanted terrorists, was spotted during the encounter.

He said Sahiron has been separated from his group after the military fired artillery shells at the ASG positions.

Cabunoc claimed to have received reports that Sahiron’s companions are now looking for him.

The United States has offered USD 1-million reward for any information that would lead to his arrest.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=751987