AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Six alleged members of the terror group Abu Sayyaf were killed in an encounter with the military in Sulu over the weekend, belated reports said.
“The military encountered about 50 members of the Abu Sayyaf led by Commander Yasser Igasan in Mabahay village in Talipao last Feb. 8 (Saturday) past 10 a.m.,” Colonel Jose Johriel Cenabre, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade said on Monday.
The operation was a collaboration between the military and the local government of Talipao against the bandits, he said.
“We are carefully watching, looking on the Abu Sayyaf activities in that village…We are very careful to engage them because their stronghold and their camp are [inside] the village but we have succeeded without collateral damage,” Cenabre said.
One of the fatalities was Rakib Gala, known as Tikboy, an ASG subleader.
Cenabre said that they have received information that Igasan was wounded, but could not confirm it. He could not also give details as to how many were wounded on the ASG side.
Six civilians, who were part of the Barangay (village) Peacekeeping Action Team of Talipao, were also injured.
Pursuit operations are being conducted against the ASG members who reportedly broke up into smaller groups.
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