ZAMBOANGA CITY—A leader of an Abu Sayyaf faction had been killed in a clash with government soldiers in the town of Patikul, Sul province on Sunday (Feb. 23), according to the military.
Maj. Arvin John Encinos, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said Taullah Abdudaras, also known by his aliases Amah Olla and Baby Ollah, was killed past 1 p.m. on Sunday.
He was a leader of the Abu Sayyaf faction headed by Radulan Sahilon and close to another Abu Sayyaf leader, Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.
An Abu Sayyaf member was also killed while two soldiers were wounded during the clash between Scout Rangers and at least 40 Abu Sayyaf men, said Encinas.
Lt. Gen. Cirilio Sobejana, Westmincom chief, said the two wounded soldiers are now undergoing treatment.
Government soldiers pounded the Abu Sayyaf position with mortar fire as offensives continued against the homegrown terror group.
The operations against Abu Sayyaf, Encinas said, preempted terror attacks and made the terrorists’ world smaller.
He said soldiers had built up combat and intelligence operations to paralyze the terrorists in Sulu.