Abu Sayyaf bandit dies, soldier wounded in clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 20): Abu Sayyaf bandit dies, soldier wounded in clash

A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed while a soldier was wounded in a clash in the province of Sulu early Thursday, the military reported.

The Joint Task Force Sulu said the clash took place in Sitio Kabbon Latih, Barangay Latih, Patikul municipality at about 6:50 a.m. Thursday.

The task force said the troops were conducting focused military operations when they clashed with a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits, who scampered to different directions.

The bandits who figured in the clash were followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders Jamiri Jaong Jawhari alias Amah Bers; Basaron Arok; and Amah Ollah.

The troops recovered the remains of a slain Abu Sayyaf member and three high-powered firearms at the clash site.

Joint Task Force Sulu withheld the identity of the wounded soldier but said he belongs to the Army’s 21st Infantry Battalion.

The task force said the focused military operations continue in a bid to rescue the hostages in the island province of Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding 24 hostages, including 16 foreigners.

They consist of eight Vietnamese, seven Indonesians, one Dutch, and eight Filipinos.

Three of them -- all Vietnamese sailors -- are held captive in Basilan province.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1001969