ZAMBOANGA CITY – President Duterte is expected in Jolo, Sulu on Saturday afternoon to visit wounded troops and give an inspirational talk, according to a top military official here.
Major General Arnel dela Vega, the commander of Western Mindanao Command, said Duterte was expected to pin the Wounded Personnel Medal (WPM) to 21 Army soldiers wounded in four previous separate encounters in Sulu.
The President’s visit is a close-in coverage where media and other local officials are not allowed inside the Gen. Bautista Trauma hospital in Bus-bus, Jolo.
Twenty members of the 41st Infantry Battalion were wounded in action on August 23 in Barangay Langhub, Patikul town.
Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, public affairs officer of the Western Mindanao Command, said the soldiers were conducting a focused military operation in Barangay Langhub when they clashed with an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf under Idang Susukan and Ben Tatoo.
The report said 18 of the 20 wounded soldiers suffered shrapnel wounds while two had bullet wounds.
Besana said an Abu Sayyaf identified as Alpata Abdurasa was killed during the operation.
“[The] enemy scampered to different directions, bringing along with them their casualties,” Besana said.
“It was reported that there could be more casualties on the enemy side due to blood stains speckled in the area,” he added.
Besana said the military operation in Patikul was ongoing.
On August 21, members of the First Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with more than 30 bandits under a certain Mujier Yadah in Barangay Tugas, Patikul.
Another unit, the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion also encountered an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Latih, also in Patikul.