7 Army soldiers hurt in Abu Sayyaf attack in Sulu

Seven Army soldiers were wounded following an attack by 150 suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists on a battalion headquarters in Patikul Sulu Tuesday night, a regional military commander said Wednesday.

In a text message to reporters, Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of AFP Joint Task Group Sulu said the attack at the headquarters of the Army's 32nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bonbon occurred at 8:15 p.m. and lasted until 9:20 p.m.

The attackers were believed to be followers of terrorist leader Radullan Sahiron. 

Arrojado said the first group of 50 attackers were likely led by Tistah Hussein, son of the late Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Juhurim Hussein who was killed in a clash with government security forces on March 4.

“This is retaliatory and we expected this. They want to avenge their losses, this is retaliatory and diversionary,” Arrojado said.

Arrojado said the wounded troops are all in stable condition.

As of posting time, pursuit operations are ongoing against the terrorists, who fled toward Barangay Kabbuntakas and Panglayahan. — RSJ, GMA News