6 Sayyaf men killed in clash with Army in Patikul

MANILA, Philippines—Six members of the homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf were killed while eight soldiers were wounded in a clash in Patikul, Sulu, the military said on Thursday (April 23).

The fighting lasted for at least 30 minutes, the Army’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said.

Three of the slain Abu Sayyaf members were identified as Guro Khalid, Udal Muhamadar Said, and one alias Budah.

Three more Abu Sayyaf members were killed but their bodies were not recovered, said Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Joint Task Force Sulu commander.

The eight wounded soldiers were brought to the Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, said his command would sustain “focused military operations in Sulu to finish Abu Sayyaf and bring about peace.”

“Please continue to pray for the safety of our soldiers while they render unselfish service to win the peace,” Sobejana said.

The Thursday clash was the second between soldiers and Abu Sayyaf in less than a week. Twelve soldiers were killed and 13 others were wounded in an earlier clash. WITH A REPORT FROM JULIE ALIPALA

Edited by TSB