FIVE Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while nine others were wounded in two separate clashes in the province of Sulu Tuesday, January 31.
The government troops were rescuing 27 hostages: a Dutch, German, Korean, seven Indonesians, five Malaysians, six Vietnamese, and six Filipinos, in the province of Sulu.
Major General Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief, said the first clash broke out around 8 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, in the village of Pugad Manaul, Panamao, Sulu.
Galvez said the Joint Task Force Sulu troops were on combat operations when they encountered the group of bandits led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya.
The bandits withdrew following a few minutes of firefight but a few minutes later, another firefight ensued and lasted for around 40 minutes as reinforcing troops caught up with the fleeing Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Galvez said the two soldiers, who were slightly wounded, were taken to the military hospital in Camp Bautista in Jolo, Sulu.
The military troops are tracking down the Abu Sayyaf bandits while blocking forces were deployed to restrict the movement of the fleeing bandits, who are responsible for the kidnappings and atrocities in Sulu. (VoxPop Philippines)
