Gov’t troops, Abu Sayyaf clash anew in Sulu; no casualties on gov’t side
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Government troops and Abu Sayyaf bandits clashed anew in Patikul, Sulu, on Thursday morning.
Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the government did not suffer any casualty in the clash that started at 9:50 a.m. in Sitio Kanjimaw in Barangay (village) Tugas.
“Firefight is ongoing,” Muyuela said.
On Wednesday, troops belonging to the Joint Task Group Sulu clashed with about 300 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Tanum village, also in Patikul, leaving two soldiers killed and 16 others wounded.
Muyuela said based on civilians’ and operating troops’ accounts, Wednesday’s clash also left 14 bandits killed and 19 wounded.
The First Scout Ranger Battalion and 16th Special Forces Company clashed with about 300 Abu Sayyaf men led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.
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