Army strikes Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

Philippine soldiers walk along a highway as they return to camp after an armed encouter with members of militant group Abu Sayyaf at the village of Bongkaong, Patikul town, Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao on August 26, 2016. AFP PHOTO / STRINGER

Soldiers in Sulu engaged with members of the Abu Sayyaf on Tuesday, the military said.

This was the first armed confrontation between the military and the terrorists after the August 29 clashes in Sulu that left 15 soldiers killed.

READ: Military deaths in clash with Abu Sayyaf rise to 15

Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said the troops of the 45th Infantry Battalion figured with Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Jamiri Jaong Jawhari in Danag, Patikul.

The encounter is ongoing as of posting time, Tan said.

“Operating troops established attack positions, while artillery fires from the 8th Field Artillery Battalion and naval blockades were conducted by augmenting troops,” he added.

As of last week, about 7,000 troops are deployed in Sulu to fight the Abu Sayyaf. JE

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