2 soldiers killed in Sulu rescue mission

Taliplao town in Sulu (Wikipedia maps)

Two soldiers were killed while attempting to rescue kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu, the military said.

Soldiers from the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion led by Ltc. Marlou Jomalesa clashed with the terrorist group in Sitio Kan Alas, Barangay Tanum in Patikul, Sulu, at about 6 a.m. on Sunday, said Joint Task Force Sulu Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana.

The Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders were led by Hajan Sawadjaan, Injam Yadah and Ben Quirino.

The two soldiers were not identified pending notification of their families. Their bodies were brought to Zamboanga City. The military said about 10 bandits were killed in the firefight.

Security forces continue to conduct clearing and pursuit operations against fleeing bandits, who are believed holding several hostages.

Soldiers recovered an M-16 assault rifle from the encounter site.

“We delivered artillery and mortar fires to pin-pointed enemy locations. Our actions are however limited and calculated since we do not want to harm the kidnap victims,” Sobejana said. /cbb