2 cops hurt in Sulu Abu Sayyaf attack
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two policemen were hurt in an attack by some 15 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday, police said.
Police said personnel of the Patikul Municipal Police were attacked by the ASG terrorists as they were escorting teachers from Jolo on their way to Barangay (village) Taung at around 8:30 a.m.
Wounded were Master Sergeant Al-nidzfar Erajio and Patrolman Jordan Changlapon.
Brigadier General Rey Divino Pabayo, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said ASG members led by sub-leader Monding Sawadjaan had fired at the last vehicle of the five-vehicle convoy of security personnel and teachers in Barangay Kan-ague on their way to Patikul.
“The police personnel and some members of our troops were escorting the teachers, who were natives of Jolo but have been teaching in Patikul when they were ambushed,” said Pabayo.
“A fierce firefight ensued between personnel of the Patikul municipal police station and the Abu Sayyaf. Our troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Mateo, reinforced the police.
Pursuit operation was ongoing in some areas of Patikul,” Pabayo said.
No other casualty has been reported.
The wounded policemen were immediately evacuated to the Integrated Provincial Health Office for medical attention.
The Kan-Ague village in Patikul is about 10 kilometers from Jolo town proper.
“Teachers requested for security escorts again because of reports of kidnapping threats,” Pabayo said.
Police had yet to determine if the ASG sustained any casualties during the attack.
Also around the time of the ambush, a suspected Abu Sayyaf member was killed in Sitio Halu-Halu, Simisa Island in Barangay Bakaan, Banguingui town, formerly known as Tongkil.
Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, commander of Western Mindanao Command, said a 15-minute gun battle between elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 and an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf on the island yielded a high-powered firearm along with the recovered body./muf/lzb
