2 hurt as troops, ASG clash in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2019): 2 hurt as troops, ASG clash in Sulu

Two soldiers were wounded in a clash with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in an island town of Sulu, the military said Saturday.

The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) said the clash happened around 6:40 p.m. Friday in Sitio Kabahayan, Barangay Bakkan, Simusa Island, Banguingui, Sulu.

The JTFS said the troops were conducting clearing operations when they clashed with the ASG bandits led by sub-leader Salip Mura.

Two soldiers-- Cpl. Syruss Valenzuela and Pvt. Jude Louise Nabalan-- were slightly injured during the clash.

The ASG bandits, who fled to different directions, were believed to have suffered casualties.

The firefight occurred a day after Marine troops intercepted a motorboat loaded with bomb-making components off Simusa Island, Baguingui, Sulu.

Loaded with 38 sacks of ammonium nitrate, the boat came from Laminusa Island in Siasi, Sulu, and was en route to Basilan when the Marine troops intercepted the watercraft on Thursday afternoon.

Ammonium nitrate is being used by lawless elements like the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to assemble improvised bombs although it is predominantly used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

Meanwhile, some 104 families evacuated to a safer area following Friday's clash.

The JTFS said village officials have already provided relief aid to the evacuees.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064792