ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government troops clashed Tuesday with Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Filipino province of Sulu, but there were no immediate reports of casualties from both sides as the military continues its assault on the notorious group linked by the Philippines to the Islamic State.
The Western Mindanao Command said members of the 45th Infantry Battalion engaged the militants under Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Jamiri Jaong Jawhari in Danag village in Patikul town.
It said military forces also fired artillery on suspected Abu Sayyaf lairs in the town, a known stronghold of the militant group, blamed by authorities for the spate of deadly attacks and ransom kidnappings of foreigners.
Naval boats were deployed in the province to prevent Abu Sayyaf gunmen from escaping, although there were reports that some militants wounded in the fighting had managed to flee to Zamboanga del Norte province.
“Operating troops established attack positions, while artillery fires from the 8th Field Artillery Battalion and naval blockades were conducted by augmenting troops. The military has intensified focused operations to track down and neutralize the Abu Sayyaf bandits who are responsible for the series of atrocities in the province,” the Western Mindanao Command said.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to crush the Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)
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