ZAMBOANGA CITY – Eight soldiers were wounded in a firefight with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the southern Philippine province of Sulu where security forces are battling the pro-ISIS group the past two decades, the military said Friday.
The fighting erupted in the town of Patikul, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, according to the Western Mindanao Command.
The casualties were rushed to a military hospital in the capital town of Jolo as troops continue their assault against the Abu Sayyaf. Wednesday’s clashes lasted for about 45 minutes and the military tagged Abu Sayyaf leaders Hajan Sawadjaan ang Radulan Sahiron in the fighting.
The military claimed the Abu Sayyaf also suffered a still undetermined number of casualties, although no cadavers had been recovered by soldiers.
“Firefight lasted for forty minutes after which enemies withdrew bringing along their casualties with them. The exchange of fires resulted in the wounding of 8 servicemen while casualties on the enemy side are yet to be determined,” the military said.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said they will intensify the operations against the terror group.
“Rest assured that we will further intensify our operations to neutralize the remaining bandits in Sulu and in all the provinces under the operational control of the command. As of press time, troops continuously conduct pursuit operation to neutralize the fleeing bandits,” he said.
The Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders pledged allegiance to ISIS, is fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the troubled South. (Zamboanga Post)
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