THREE Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while five soldiers wounded in a firefight in the province of Sulu, the military reported Sunday, May 17, 2020.
Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the firefight broke out around 10:44 a.m. Saturday at Sitio Tubig Paliya in Danag village, Patikul, Sulu.
Sobejana said the firefight ensued when the troops chanced upon some 20 Abu Sayyaf bandits while on combat patrol at Sitio Tubig Paliya in Danag village.
Sobejana said the firefight lasted for about one hour that resulted to the death of three Abu Sayyaf bandits and five soldiers wounded.
He said the troops have recovered the remains of one of the three slain Abu Sayyaf and a high-powered firearm while the rest of them fled.
He did not release the identities of the wounded soldiers who belong to the Army's 21st Infantry Battalion. They were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Major General Corleto Vinluan, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said bloodstains were found along the withdrawal path of the Abu Sayyaf bandits as the troops delivered fire on the fleeing bandits.
"As our troops penetrate the strongholds and close in on enemies, they will continuously employ reasonable amount of combat power to pressure and debilitate the terror group in
Sulu," Sobejana said.
"We will sustain our security operations against the terrorists until we win the peace in Sulu and other parts of Westmincom area of responsibility," he added.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captives five Indonesian fishermen they seized in the waters of Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia on January 17, 2020. (VoxPop Zamboanga)