ASG member killed, soldier wounded in Sulu clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11): ASG member killed, soldier wounded in Sulu clash

A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed while a soldier was wounded in a firefight Thursday in the hinterlands of Sulu, a top military official said.

Col. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the firefight broke out around 10:45 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Sawaki, Indanan while the troops were in pursuit of ASG members.

Arrojado said prior to the firefight, the troops from the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion have recovered two unregistered motorcycles that were abandoned by ASG members upon sensing the troops’ arrival in Barangay Sawaki, Indanan.

He said the firefight broke out as troops led by Major Ibni Saddama chanced upon about 30 ASG brigands as they pursued the group who abandoned the motorcycles.

Arrojado said the slain ASG member, who is still unidentified, was a follower of ASG sub-leader Jul Aksan alias "Halimao."

He said the wounded soldier belongs to the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion.

He said ASG brigands who figured in the firefight scampered to different directions as the troops outmaneuvered them.

He said that blocking positions were established following report that some 70 ASG members led by Alhabsy Misaya and Alden Bagade were planning to reinforce the group of Aksan.

He said the troops launched clearing operations around the clash site.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=771363