Scout Rangers clash with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines — Troopers of the 5^th Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with about 100 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in a remote village in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday morning, an official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command (AFP-Wesmincom) said.

Wesmincom spokesman Colonel Gerry Basana said the firefight started at 11:30 a.m. in Sitio Sungkog, Barangay Kabuntakas and was ongoing past noon. The Abu Sayyaf terrorists were under the command of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

“Ongoing pa yung firefight sa pagitan ng 5th Scout Ranger Battalion sa pangunguna po ni Lieutenant Colonel Marlo Jomalesa. More or less 100 troop members ng grupo ni Hajan Sawadjaan, notorious leader ng Abu Sayyaf group sa Sulu,” Basana said in an interview over DZMM radio station.

Basana said there were no reported casualties on the military’s side as of posting.

“Wala pa pong casualties. Sa panig ng Abu Sayyaf, undetermined pa,” he said. /muf/lzb