2 Abus killed in Sulu clash with Army

Two members of the Abu Sayyaf were killed in a gunbattle with Army soldiers in Sulu, the military said on Wednesday.

The encounter transpired in the mountains of Patikul town past 2 p.m. on Tuesday, the Western Mindanao Command said.

The latest incident brings the Abu Sayyaf death toll to 32 since President Rodrigo Duterte ordered intensified operations against the terror group.

READ: Duterte warns Abu Sayyaf: I will eat you alive …

Tuesday’s encounter was the first armed confrontation with the Abu Sayyaf after 15 soldiers were killed in Sulu last week.

“Reports gathered from civilians in the vicinity confirmed two ASG killed being carried by their companions for burial while several others were wounded as they move away from the half hour firefight while government troops suffered no casualty,” the statement read.

The Abu Sayyaf were reportedly led by Jamiri Jaong Jawhari and Basaron Arok, two known subleaders of the bandit group. CDG

READ: Army pours troops into pursuit; Abus ready for ‘last war’