1 soldier killed in Basilan clash with Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, Philippines—One soldier was killed and three others wounded in an encounter in Basilan province between the military and members of the Abu Sayyaf Thursday afternoon, a military official said Friday.

Colonel Ricardo Visaya, the commander of the 104th Brigade, identified the wounded soldiers as Private first class (Pfc) Daniel Resultan, Pfc Cresencio Sagaysay and Private Symons Mark Subito. They were treated by medics for shrapnel wounds and airlifted to Zamboanga City Thursday night.

The killed soldier’s identity was withheld because the immediate relatives have yet to be notified, Visaya said.

The 45-minute gunbattle occurred about 5:00 p.m. as a platoon of soldiers from the 10th Scout Ranger Company led by 1st Lieutenant Arcel Soco were pursuing the group of at least 40 Islamic extremists led by Furuji Indama and Khair Mundus.

The extremists were fleeing after an earlier two-hour firefight near the village of Baiwas with soldiers belonging to the 12th Scout Ranger Company led by Captain Gerald Penzona.

The soldiers earlier received information that the rebels were conducting bomb-making training in the said area, Visaya said.

Recovered from the Islamic extremists were 30 improvised bombs, he added.

Visaya said the military would pursue and capture these “armed bandits who have remained a potent threat against the peace and security in the area.”