Abu Sayyaf Group member killed, 4 wounded in Sulu clash

A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group Mundi Sawadjaan was killed while four of his companions were injured in a five-minute exchange of gunfire with military forces in Patikul, Sulu on Monday, according to a statement issued by the Western Mindanao Command Public Information Office.

The incident occurred in Barangay Sandah in Patikul around 3:30 p.m. on Monday.

The military said there may have been more ASG members injured. On the side of the military, there are no recorded casualties.

Augmenting troops also blocked possible routes of the enemies as a pursuit operation is conducted.

Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command chief, said, “Military troops escalate their deliberate and focused operations against Abu Sayyaf militants, days after the spate of offensives in Sulu.”

“We are gaining a foothold as we sustain our tactical offensives on the ground. This is evinced by the number of militants slain in our successive armed engagements against the enemies in Sulu,” he added. — BAP, GMA News