Army soldiers killed in Monday clash with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu rise to 15

From GMA News (Aug 30): Army soldiers killed in Monday clash with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu rise to 15

Fifteen soldiers, including an officer, died Monday in a clash with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in Patikul, Sulu, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday.

The clash occurred at 4:30 p.m. in Sitio Kan Jalul in Brgy. Maligay, said Marine Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the AFP.

The government troops from the Philippine Army's 35th Infantry Battalion and 21st Infantry Battalion faced "more or less 120 heavily armed terrorists" during the gunfight, Arevalo added.

He said the extent of casualty on the ASG side has yet to be determined.

Army soldiers from other areas immediately rushed to the scene to pursue withdrawing terrorists, while others provided blocking forces.

The AFP withheld the names of the soldiers killed in action as well as those wounded in action until their families have been notified.

"As we gaze at the national flag that flies at half mast anew, soldiers knew that one too many hero among them has again offered his life—that others may live," General Ricardo Visaya, AFP Chief of Staff, said.

He added that their campaign against the ASG will continue.

"There may still be casualties along the way as we advance this solemn duty to eradicate these bandits and terrorists of 25 years, but we will not stop until we rid our country of the menace this ASG brings to the world," Visaya said.

An earlier Reuters report quoting Maj. Filemon Tan placed the Monday clash's death toll among government soldiers at 12.

Two other clashes

The AFP said two other armed encounters with the ASG occurred on Monday.

One was at around 1:50 p.m. in Sitio Kugan, Brgy. Bakung in Patikul. The Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Presco Lobos clashed for almost 30 minutes with more or less 30 heavily armed ASG members headed by sub-leader Jamiri Jawong Jauhari.

Two ASG members died in the said clash, including Jauhari. No casualty was reported among government soldiers. Army troops pursued the rebel group.

Almost two hours later, at about 3:42 p.m., Army troops led by Lt. Col. Samuel Manzano clashed with more or less 80 ASG members in Brgy. Kuttong in Talipao, Sulu. 

The clash lasted for 30 minutes and led to the death of two ASG members. Two government soldiers, meanwhile, were wounded in action.

Visaya rallied the troops to continue pursuing the ASG. "We have all the time. Keep the pressure on the enemy until they wear out. Just ensure they won't be able to leave the island and we will be triumphant in the end," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has already closed the door on peace talks with the ASG.
"I am very sorry to say but there will be no [peace] talks about these things with the Abu Sayyaf," he said on August 1.

"I will not deal with persons with extreme brutality. There is no redeeming factor or reason for me to sit down and talk with criminals," Duterte added. 

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