Trooper killed along with 2 ASG bandits in fresh Sulu clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 9): Trooper killed along with 2 ASG bandits in fresh Sulu clash

A trooper from the 21st Infantry Battalion was killed along with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits following a clash with an estimated 150 terrorists in Patikul, Sulu Thursday morning.

Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said the encounter transpired at 9:53 a.m. at Sitio Datag, Barangay Panglayahan of the above-mentioned locality.

Troopers from the 21st Infantry Battalion were conducting focused military operations in the area when they encountered ASG terrorists under Radullan Sahiron, Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Mujer Yadah.

Fighting lasted for 30 minutes and resulted in the death of Staff Sgt. Allan Caliguran, while the terrorists had two casualties and six wounded.

Around 12 noon of the same day, pursuit troops recovered an M-14 magazine and empty cartridges.
At around 3 p.m., patrolling troops also discovered newly abandoned harbor position which can accommodate more or less 100 bandits at Sitio Kan Baddal, Barangay Panglayahan, Patikul, Sulu believed to have been occupied by the engaged enemy.

"Troops further observed fresh enemy tracks towards southwest," Tan said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=947195