One Army soldier was killed while six were wounded in military operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu on Thursday afternoon.
Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Maj. Filemon Tan said the soldiers of the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion figured with about 130 members of the Abu Sayyaf believed to be led by Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron in Brgy. Kabuntakas in Patikul town at about 3 p.m.
The firefight is ongoing of posting time, he said.
A Field Artillery Battalion has provided indirect fire to the engaged troops, while the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion was also sent for reinforcements, Tan said.
When he assumed his post as Armed Forces chief last July 1, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya vowed to be “unrelenting” against the Abu Sayyaf, a known terror and kidnap-for-ransom group, in Basilan and Sulu. JE
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