Sayyaf killed, 9 policemen wounded in Sulu encounter

From the Manila Times (Sep 26, 2023): Sayyaf killed, 9 policemen wounded in Sulu encounter (By Al Jacinto)

ZAMBOANGA CITY: An Abu Sayyaf fighter was killed and nine police commandos were wounded in a firefight Saturday in Sulu province in southern Philippines.

The fighting was the first between security forces and the pro-ISIS group following the military's declaration that the province is now free from the Abu Sayyaf.

Police forces were sent to the remote town of Panamao to serve an arrest warrant on a wanted Abu Sayyaf member Muksidal Jumadil at his hideout in the village of Seir Hagad after villagers tipped off authorities about his presence.

Jumadil opened automatic fire on the commandos, sparking a fierce battle that eventually resulted in the killing of the gunman. The wounded commandos, all members of the 7th Special Action Battalion, were rushed to a hospital. Among the wounded were a captain and two of his lieutenants.

Police said Jumadil was wanted for a string of murders in the Sulu. No other details about his criminal past were made available by the authorities. Many of the Abu Sayyaf leaders in Sulu had been killed in military and police operations and their members surrendered the past years to avail of the government's amnesty program.

Meanwhile in Basilan province, two pro-government militias ambushed a policeman SSg Jun Jabbal Arasal and his two companions Rene Tanasain and Arastud Asisoy on Friday, September 22, in Parangbasak village in Lamitan City.

The ambushers, Lipunan Docol and Lim Amaran, escaped after attacking the three who were travelling in a car. Police said they are investigating the motive of the attack or whether this was a family feud or a clan war.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/26/regions/sayyaf-killed-9-policemen-wounded-in-sulu-encounter/1911766