17 soldiers wounded, 6 Abus killed in Sulu

(Updated) Seventeen soldiers were wounded while six members of the Abu Sayyaf were reportedly killed in clashes in Sulu on Friday morning.

Troops from the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion figured with about 100 members of the Abu Sayyaf in Sitio Makaita, Brgy. (village) Bungkaong in Patikul town past 6 a.m., Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said.

The Abu Sayyaf casualties include sub-leader Mohammad Said, a.k.a Ama Maas, who has five standing warrants of arrest for murder, Tan said.

Said was involved in the abduction of the Samal kidnap victims where two Canadians were beheaded. Filipina Maritess Flor was released while Norwegian Kjartan remained with the terror group

Pursuit operations continue against the bandits.

Wounded soldiers were given medical care in a hospital in Sulu and would be later brought to Zamboanga City.

Other soldiers who sustained minor wounds opted to stay and continue fighting the Abu Sayyaf.

“Our troops are extremely motivated; they know that this fight against terrorism is greater than themselves. Sa totoo lang, 17 ang sugatan natin pero 10 dun ay slightly wounded lang, nagpaiwan sila para sumama uli sa operation at ipagpatuloy ang laban. Ganyan katindi ang pagtingin namin sa misyon na ito lalo na sa utos ng ating Commander in Chief. He gave a specific order. The mission is clear. Seek and destroy the ASG. By all means that’s what we are doing and we will not stop until it’s done,” Wesmincom commander Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz was quoted as saying.

(Our troops are extremely motivated; they know that this fight against terrorism is greater than themselves. The truth is, of the 17 who are hurt, 10 are only slightly wounded, they wanted to be left behind to join the operation and continue the fight. That’s how important we consider this mission is, especially upon the order of our Commander in Chief. He gave a specific order. The mission is clear. Seek and destroy the ASG. By all means that’s what we are doing and we will not stop until it’s done.) CDG/rga

READ: AFP sends more troops to Sulu, Basilan to fight Abu Sayyaf