Three suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed
while 16 government troopers were wounded during a clash in Patikul town, Sulu
Tuesday afternoon.
In the same encounter, another 10 bandits were reported
wounded.
Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) spokesperson Major
Filemon Tan said the encounter with the estimated 200-strong ASG took place
around 2:20 p.m. at Sitio Bud Duwa Bayho in Patikul.
Troopers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col.
Ramon Flores were conducting clearing operations when engaged by the bandit
group, triggering an hour and half of fighting, after which the ASG brigands
scampered to different directions.
"The soldiers who were wounded in the encounter were
immediately brought to Trauma Hospital KHTB, Busbus, Jolo, Sulu for prompt
medical treatment," Tan said.
He said the troops continue to intensify the conduct of
focused military operations in Sulu to pin down the ASG brigands and rescue the
remaining hostages.
The ASG brigands are still holding captives a number of
hostages, including foreigners.
Among the foreign hostages are Ewold Horn, a Dutchman
birdwatcher the ASG brigands have kidnapped in February 2012 in Tawi-Tawi and
Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingtad.
The ASG brigands kidnapped Sekkingtad on September 21, 2015
at a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte together with
John Ridsel, Robert Hall and Filipina Marites Flor, Hall's girlfriend.
The ASG brigands beheaded Ridsel last April 25 and Hall last
June 13 for failure to meet their ransom demands which runs to millions of
pesos.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=897300
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