1 soldier killed, 2 others wounded in Basilan clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits

MANILA, Philippines—One soldier was killed and two others were wounded in an encounter with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan Wednesday morning, an Army spokesman said.

Major Harold Cabunoc said a company of Philippine Army’s Scout Rangers led by Captain Joey Magundayao was sent to conduct security patrol when they chanced upon a band of about 50 heavily armed rebels in the forested area of Macalang village, Al Barka town, in Basilan at around 5:45 a.m.

The firefight lasted for three hours, after which the bandits fled to different directions with their casualties, Cabunoc added.

He said Special Operations Task Force Basilan commander Colonel Alexander Macario sent troop reinforcements to the area.—Frances Mangosing