Government troops have overrun an encampment of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in two separate clashes in the hinterlands of Sulu, officials announced Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said seven soldiers were injured in the two clashes.
He said the first firefight happened around 8 a.m. Wednesday in Sitio Kan Mindang, Barangay Pangdanon, Patikul, Sulu.
Vinluan said the troops were on security operation when they clashed against some 30 ASG bandits led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Sitio Kan Mindang, Barangay Pangdanon.
Some five soldiers were wounded in the firefight that lasted for about 50 minutes, after which the enemy withdrew bringing along their casualties as they abandoned their encampment.
He did not release the identities of the wounded soldiers except that they belong to the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion. They were taken to the Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu.
“We believe that a number of bandits were wounded and probably could have died due to loss of blood for our troops have seen lots of bloodstains in the enemy position and in their withdrawal route,” he said.
“The (captured) enemy encampment can accommodate more or less 50 persons,” Vinluan added.
Recovered from the encampment were five improvised explosive devices, medical supplies, food supplies, 30 empty gallons, personal belongings, detonating cord, 10 to 15 meters long lead wire, 15 kilos rice, poncho, laminated sacks, one hammock, two backpacks, empty shells of 5.56-millimeter rifle, and a 7.62-mm ammunition link.
He said the second clash occurred at around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday when the Scout Ranger troops chanced upon more or less 10 ASG bandits under Mundi Sawadjaan and a certain Abu Yusop in Sitio Kanlimbungan, Barangay Tanum, Patikul.
Vinluan said two soldiers were slightly injured “while casualty on the enemy side is yet to be determined” in the firefight, which lasted for about 20 minutes.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, commended the rangers for their untiring dedication to their duties and made sure that the battle casualties will be given utmost care while undergoing medical treatment.
“I enjoin all the troops to press on until all the remaining bandits are neutralized and the peace that the people of Sulu are longing for is attained,” Sobejana said.
“But while military operations are vigorously undertaken, I encourage the remaining bandits to lay down their arms and end conflicts in a peaceful way,” Sobejana added.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084721
Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said seven soldiers were injured in the two clashes.
He said the first firefight happened around 8 a.m. Wednesday in Sitio Kan Mindang, Barangay Pangdanon, Patikul, Sulu.
Vinluan said the troops were on security operation when they clashed against some 30 ASG bandits led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Sitio Kan Mindang, Barangay Pangdanon.
Some five soldiers were wounded in the firefight that lasted for about 50 minutes, after which the enemy withdrew bringing along their casualties as they abandoned their encampment.
He did not release the identities of the wounded soldiers except that they belong to the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion. They were taken to the Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu.
“We believe that a number of bandits were wounded and probably could have died due to loss of blood for our troops have seen lots of bloodstains in the enemy position and in their withdrawal route,” he said.
“The (captured) enemy encampment can accommodate more or less 50 persons,” Vinluan added.
Recovered from the encampment were five improvised explosive devices, medical supplies, food supplies, 30 empty gallons, personal belongings, detonating cord, 10 to 15 meters long lead wire, 15 kilos rice, poncho, laminated sacks, one hammock, two backpacks, empty shells of 5.56-millimeter rifle, and a 7.62-mm ammunition link.
He said the second clash occurred at around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday when the Scout Ranger troops chanced upon more or less 10 ASG bandits under Mundi Sawadjaan and a certain Abu Yusop in Sitio Kanlimbungan, Barangay Tanum, Patikul.
Vinluan said two soldiers were slightly injured “while casualty on the enemy side is yet to be determined” in the firefight, which lasted for about 20 minutes.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, commended the rangers for their untiring dedication to their duties and made sure that the battle casualties will be given utmost care while undergoing medical treatment.
“I enjoin all the troops to press on until all the remaining bandits are neutralized and the peace that the people of Sulu are longing for is attained,” Sobejana said.
“But while military operations are vigorously undertaken, I encourage the remaining bandits to lay down their arms and end conflicts in a peaceful way,” Sobejana added.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084721
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