4 soldiers slain in clash with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur –– Four soldiers were killed in an encounter in Sulu Friday morning, the military said.
Major Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said troops of the 6th Special Forces Battalion were conducting combat operation at 8:25 a.m in Sitio Lagaron of Barangay Kan-Ague in Patikul town when they encountered about 40 armed bandits.
Encinas added that 17 other soldiers were wounded in the 40-minute clash.
Encinas said pursuit operations have been ongoing up to this time as the bandits scampered away after engaging the soldiers.
The military has heightened its offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu for almost a year now.