AFP: Up to 15 Abu Sayyaf men killed in Patikul clashes

From InterAksyon (Aug 27): AFP: Up to 15 Abu Sayyaf men killed in Patikul clashes

Reports reaching Manila indicated that up to 15 suspected members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in clashes at two separate places Friday in Patikul, Sulu.

At least 17 soldiers were wounded in the two incidents.

Based on the official report of the Philippine Army's Special Operation Command (SOCOM), the remains of only six ASG fighters were recovered, although a separate news report cited an ASG claim that they suffered 12 fatalities.

Earlier, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman Major Felimon Tan Jr. broke about the news of six casualties which he said included an ASG sub-leader from an encounter that started at around 6:12 a.m. in Sitio Makaita, Barangay Bunkaong.

Tan said the encounter lasted for 45 minutes and one of the casualties was ASG sub-leader Mohammad Said alias Ama Maas.

But in the SOCOM report, the two separate encounters were recorded to have occurred in Sitio Tubig Magkawas in Barangay Langhub and Sitio Pangi in Barangay Bunkaong where the 15 Abu Sayyaf casualties were recorded.

The report said the remains of the six ASG casualties were recovered from the encounter sites, while nine bodies were said to have been taken away by the fleeing bandits. It also confirmed the death of a certain Said, who was suspected to be involved in the September 2015 abduction of John Risdel and Robert Hall, both Canadians; Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian; and Hall's Filipina girlfriend Maritess Flor from a resort in the Island garden City of Samal. The victims were brought to Sulu.

The ASG then beheaded Hall and Ridsdel after their families failed to deliver a P300-million ransom demand for each of the victims for their safe release.

Hall's girlfriend, Maritess Flor, was freed later, while Sekkingstad was still in the hands of the terrorists.

Just this week, the ASG beheaded another kidnap victim, James Almodavar, after his family failed to produce P1 million ransom for his release.

The military report said the terrorists encountered were led by Raddulan Sahiron alias Putol, Kahal Mohammad alias Ama Maas, Haurulla Asbang alias Hai, and a certain Latip Sapie.

http://interaksyon.com/article/131870/afp-up-to-15-abu-sayyaf-men-killed-in-patikul-clashes