Abu Sayyaf members slain in Sulu firefight–military

From the Business Mirror (May 18, 2020): Abu Sayyaf members slain in Sulu firefight–military (By Rene Acosta)

Three alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed on Saturday in an-hour long firefight with soldiers in Sulu, the military reported on Sunday.

Five soldiers were also wounded during the morning clash at Barangay Danag in the town of Patikul, according to Major Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Encinas said that elements of the 21st Infantry Battalion engaged around 20 individuals as augmenting troops delivered fire support and blocked the ASG unit’s withdrawal routes.

As a result, an ASG member was killed while an M16 rifle was recovered along with several rifle magazines and personal belongings.
The military assumed the ASG unit they engaged may have incurred more casualties based on the bloodstains found on their position.

According to Lt. General Cirilito E. Sobejana, Westmincom will “sustain security operations against the terrorists until we win the peace in Sulu and other parts of Western Mindanao Command area of operations.”

Meanwhile, the military also said that it has killed 15 alleged members of the New People’s Army in a series of operations in the boundary of Gingoog City and Agusan del Norte.

The alleged NPA guerillas were killed during the skirmishes from May 10 up to 13, according to military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.

According to Arevalo, among those killed were four leaders of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 4A (GF4A).

He identified the four as Ian de la Rama, alias “Gian;” Rio Amor Yuson, alias “Lema,” a finance officer; Paquito Namatidong, alias “Sangka,” a platoon leader leader; and Peter Mansaginda Pinakilid, alias “Aloy,” political officer of GF4A.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/05/18/abu-sayyaf-members-slain-in-sulu-firefight-military/