7 soldiers killed, 13 hurt in clashes with Abu Sayyaf

From Rappler (Jun 19): 7 soldiers killed, 13 hurt in clashes with Abu Sayyaf



Seven soldiers were killed and 24 others wounded in separate encounters with suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu on Thursday, June 19.

At least 10 members of the ASG were also killed, although only one body was recovered, according to Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of the military's Western Mindanao Command.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said in a statement that a military officer was killed after his troops clashed with an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf members at around 6:20 am on Thursday, in Barangay Kagay in Patikul.

About 10 minutes later, 6 soldiers were killed and 13 more were wounded after being hit by an 81mm mortar launched by the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Kabbon-Takas, Zagala said. (The number of wounded later rose to 24, based on Muyuela's report late afternoon.)

"The remaining troops are still in the area of operations while the casualties were evacuated," the statement said.

Three critically-wounded personnel were airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City for proper medical treatment, while the other wounded soldiers were brought to the nearest hospital for medical attention.

The families of those who had been killed and wounded have yet to be informed of the development as of posting.

The AFP said that the incident would not hamper military operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

“The AFP continues to conduct its focused-military operations against these rebels to ensure the safety and security of the civilians in the area. Our soldiers did not suffer in vain for they bravely sacrificed their lives in line of their duty to our people,” Zagala said.

The attack comes after the Abu Sayyaf suffered a series of setbacks including the capture in Manila last week of one of its leaders, Khair Mundos, who is on the US government's list of "most wanted" terror suspects. (READ: Abu Sayyaf leader in US terror list arrested)

Days later, two of his followers were also arrested.

On April 30, 15 – including one soldier – were also killed in clashes between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf who were seeking to regain their captured camp in Patikul.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/61040-soldiers-killed-clashes-abu-sayyaf