SIX Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while eight soldiers were wounded in a fresh firefight between the troops and the bandit group in the province of Sulu, military officials said Thursday, April 23.
Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the firefight broke out anew they continue all-out offense against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.
The attack was launched against the Abu Sayyaf after the September 17 clash that resulted to the death of 12 soldiers and 12 casualties at Sitio Bud Lubong in the village of Danag, Patikul, Sulu.
Sobejana said the firefight broke out around 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, in the village of Latih, Patikul, as the troops chanced upon the terrorist group while conducting combat operation.
The troops have recovered the remains of three Abu Sayyaf members following a 34-minute firefight sending the bandits fleeing to different directions.
"We are sustaining our focused military operations in Sulu to finish the Abu sayyaf Group and bring about peace in the said province," Sobejana said.
He added the slained were identified as Guro Khalid, Udal Muhamadar Said, and a certain Budah.
Major General Corleto Vinluan, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said three more Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while several others wounded based on the reports of the community.
The two officials did not release the identities of the wounded soldiers except to say they belong to the Army's 45th Infantry Battalion.
The wounded soldiers were immediately extricated from the clash site and rushed to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu and later airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City. (VoxPop Zamboanga)