ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 21, 2014) – Philippine troops continue to pursue Abu Sayyaf militants tagged as behind Thursday’s attack that wounded a total of eight soldiers in Basilan province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, an army spokesman said.
Capt. Franco Suelto, of the 1st Infantry Division, said soldiers tracking down Abu Sayyaf militants headed by Puruji Indama, who ambushed an army truck in Ungkaya Pukan town..
The attack sparked a 15-minute gun battle near Sungkayot village, he said, adding, there were no immediate reports of enemy casualties.
The clash occurred just a day after security forces arrested two wanted Abu Sayyaf militants – Nur Hassan and Ustadz Alih – in Zamboanga City. The two, both natives of Basilan, were being investigated by the police in Zamboanga City.
Authorities did not say whether the two men were on a mission or planning to launch attacks in Zamboanga, where suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen recently kidnapped a grocery owner, Michelle Panes, in Labuan village. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc)
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