Soldiers clash with unidentified group in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Soldiers clashed with a still unidentified group in Sulu starting Thursday, sources said Friday.

The military was tight-lipped about the clash but another source said the military had suffered at least three casualties as of Friday.

The source, an official of the Joint Task Force Sulu, did not want to be identified for lack of authority to speak on the matter.

Former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan confirmed that the firefight had taken place but was unclear as to the area affected.

Senior Superintendent Mario Buyucan, the Sulu police director, also confirmed the clash but gave no detail.

“The operation is ongoing but we cannot provide details,” he said.

Dr. Raden Ikbala of the Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital said the fighting was taking place in Barangay Tugas in Patikul town.