1 Abu Sayyaf member dead in clash with Army

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur –– An Abu Sayyaf fighter was killed in a 20-minute encounter between the bandit group and soldiers of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion in Patikul town in Sulu province Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Major Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson, identified the fatality as Nanz Sawadjaan, younger brother of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

Encinas said the Army was conducting a focused military operation Tuesday morning when they encountered some 40 Abu Sayyaf members under sub-leaders Almujer Yadah, Ben Tattoh, and Apo Mike in Sitio Tubig Pansol of Barangay Langhub.

Three soldiers were also wounded in the 20-minute firefight. They are now recuperating at the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu, Encinas added.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, said Tuesday’s operation led to the discovery of an encampment by the bandits, which could accommodate a big group of people, thanks to the information provided by civilians.

Soldiers recovered the dead body of Sawadjaan along with an AK47 assault rifle.

Pursuit operations were underway against the fleeing terrorists, Encinas said./lzb