15 Abu Sayyaf members killed, 13 soldiers hurt in Sulu clash–military

ZAMBOANGA CITY—As many as 15 Abu Sayyaf bandits have reportedly been killed in clashes that started Thursday in Sulu, a military spokesperson said.

Thirteen soldiers, including a junior officer, were injured during the clash in Patikul town on Friday alone, according to Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command.

Muyuela said based on ground reports, eight bandits had been confirmed killed on Friday but there were indications that six more have died on that day.

“They were dragged away by their companions,” she said, adding the report on an additional Abu Sayyaf casualty was still being verified.

Muyuela said the soldiers were part of a larger group of government troops conducting combat operation in Patikul town.

She said while the soldiers, under Joint Task Force Sulu, were combing Sitio Kan Islam in Barangay Buhanginan in Patikul around 11:50 a.m. Friday, they engaged the Abu Sayyaf faction headed by Hairulah Asbang and Amlon Abtahi.

Muyuela said the injuries of the 13 soldiers were slight and that they had been evacuated for treatment.

Friday’s clash was the second of such incident that took place in the said province this week, as the military intensified its operation against the bandit group.

On Thursday, a clash also took place in Patikul, during which an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader was killed. Muyuela only identified the slain bandit as a Murasil, allegedly a close aide of Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan.

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