Army officer, three others wounded in clash with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 7): Army officer, three others wounded in clash with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

An Army officer and three other soldiers were wounded during a fierce gun battle against members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Patikul, Sulu on Monday.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, the spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom), said the names of the wounded personnel – a second lieutenant, two corporals and a pfc – remain withheld.

All the wounded soldiers were promptly evacuated to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital and were immediately given medical attention.

Amid the intensified conduct of military operations, Besana said troops from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force Sulu engaged in an armed confrontation more or less 50 members of the Abu Sayyaf under Radullan Sahiron in Sitio Kan Apo Aluk, Panglayahan, Patikul, Sulu at 1:40 p.m. Monday (November 5, 2018).

Heavy skirmishes ensued, which resulted to the wounding of the four soldiers while heavy casualties were reported on the enemy’s side based on human intelligence.

While scouring the encounter site, troops recovered 50 kilos of rice, personal belongings with blood stains, and assorted medicines.

“The Joint Task Force Sulu continues to intensify the conduct of offensives against the Abu Sayyaf to neutralize the remaining bandits,” said Lieutenant General Arnel B. Dela Vega, the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“We extend our gratitude to the Local Government Unit and the populace for helping the government troops in fighting terrorism by means of giving information, thus, making it easier for us to neutralize the outlaws,” he added.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/11/07/army-officer-three-others-wounded-in-clash-with-abu-sayyaf-in-sulu/