3 Abu Sayyaf men killed, 4 soldiers hurt in Basilan clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Three Abu Sayyaf members were killed while four soldiers were injured during a clash in Basilan on Sunday, the military reported.

Navy Commander Roy Vincent Trinidad, chief of staff of the Naval Forces in Western Mindanao, said troops belonging to the Joint Task Group Basilan under Col. Rolando Bautista were conducting an operation in Barangay Baiwas in Sumisip town when they clashed with some 50 bandits under Radzmil Jannatul and Katatuh Balaman around 11:50 a.m.

“(The soldiers) chanced upon the combined group and clashed with them for about 40 minutes, after which the enemy withdrew in different directions,” Trinidad said.

He said several other bandits were wounded in the clash.

“Troops are still relentlessly pursuing the withdrawing ASG,” Trinidad said.  SFM