Fighting erupted between government troops and some 200 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in the jungles of Patikul town in Sulu yesterday, leaving at least two soldiers and nine bandits killed, and more than 25 others wounded.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief military information officer, said the clash started when members of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion chanced upon a large band of Abu Sayyaf fighters in Barangay Gata at around 10:30 a.m. yesterday.
“Our troops were actually sent there because of the information we have been getting about their presence there,” said Cabunoc in an interview.
Cabunoc revealed that such a large number of ASG men only means consolidation of forces of ASG groups, especially those led by commanders Nil Hairula, Hatib Sawadjaan, and even Radullan Sahiron.
Sahiron is the one-armed ASG commander who is the remaining senior bandit leader operating in Sulu.
“They were spotted in Bud Bagsak area, which is the traditional playing ground of the group of Radullan Sahiron,” said Cabunoc.
The official said two enlisted personnel of the Army were killed in the gun battle, while 15 others were wounded.
Two of the wounded, according to Cabunoc, are junior officers with ranks of 2nd and 1st lieutenants.
At least nine ASG men were also reported killed while 15 others were wounded. Only two of the fatalities were identified, said Cabunoc.
The fatalities were identified as Kiram Jaapar, Adzmer Anni, a certain Rony, Almujer Samlahun, a certain Aljon/Almoger, a certain Sapie, Alnajir Abdurasa, Marjuni Makdam and Mujil Samlahun.
Cabunoc said ground troops were supported by attack helicopters from the Air Force and artillery support.
He said the firefight lasted for two hours, adding that all the casualties were airlifted.
The ASG has long been the security problem of the government, especially in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu.
The group was responsible for bombing activities and kidnap-for-ransom cases that include foreign victims.
The military has long been saying that it already reduced the strength of the ASG and that the bandit group has already splintered into small groups.
Asked of the large number of ASG in the area, Cabunoc said there are two main reasons why the ASG would consolidate their forces, first is to conduct offensive and second is to attend an important gathering as in the case last year when a wedding ceremony was held for a key ASG member.
http://www.mb.com.ph/2-soldiers-9-asg-bandits-killed-in-fresh-fighting-in-sulu/
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief military information officer, said the clash started when members of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion chanced upon a large band of Abu Sayyaf fighters in Barangay Gata at around 10:30 a.m. yesterday.
“Our troops were actually sent there because of the information we have been getting about their presence there,” said Cabunoc in an interview.
Cabunoc revealed that such a large number of ASG men only means consolidation of forces of ASG groups, especially those led by commanders Nil Hairula, Hatib Sawadjaan, and even Radullan Sahiron.
Sahiron is the one-armed ASG commander who is the remaining senior bandit leader operating in Sulu.
“They were spotted in Bud Bagsak area, which is the traditional playing ground of the group of Radullan Sahiron,” said Cabunoc.
The official said two enlisted personnel of the Army were killed in the gun battle, while 15 others were wounded.
Two of the wounded, according to Cabunoc, are junior officers with ranks of 2nd and 1st lieutenants.
At least nine ASG men were also reported killed while 15 others were wounded. Only two of the fatalities were identified, said Cabunoc.
The fatalities were identified as Kiram Jaapar, Adzmer Anni, a certain Rony, Almujer Samlahun, a certain Aljon/Almoger, a certain Sapie, Alnajir Abdurasa, Marjuni Makdam and Mujil Samlahun.
Cabunoc said ground troops were supported by attack helicopters from the Air Force and artillery support.
He said the firefight lasted for two hours, adding that all the casualties were airlifted.
The ASG has long been the security problem of the government, especially in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu.
The group was responsible for bombing activities and kidnap-for-ransom cases that include foreign victims.
The military has long been saying that it already reduced the strength of the ASG and that the bandit group has already splintered into small groups.
Asked of the large number of ASG in the area, Cabunoc said there are two main reasons why the ASG would consolidate their forces, first is to conduct offensive and second is to attend an important gathering as in the case last year when a wedding ceremony was held for a key ASG member.
http://www.mb.com.ph/2-soldiers-9-asg-bandits-killed-in-fresh-fighting-in-sulu/
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