2 suspected Abu Sayyaf men, civilian killed in Christmas day clashes

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits and a civilian were killed while seven other persons were wounded in attacks on three villages of Patikul town in Sulu on Christmas day, military reports said.

Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command’s deputy commander for Marine Operations, said at least 40 bandits first attacked a Marines detachment in the village of Kan-ague at around 9 p.m., injuring Sgt. Alejandro Ong. Cenabre said they received intelligence reports that two Abu Sayyaf members were killed and several others were wounded when soldiers fired back at them.

More than an hour later, the bandits attacked Barangays Minjay and Kabuntakas, killing Simar Sali, 15.

Six other civilians were wounded in the attacks.

Cenabre said the deaths of the two Abu Sayyaf members “could be the reason for the attack on civilian communities.”