3 cops, civilian injured after suspected Abu Sayyaf men attack in Sulu

Three policemen and a member of the barangay peace action team (BPAT) were injured after suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group attacked them on board a mobile patrol in Patikul, Sulu on Wednesday night.

According to Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana on Thursday, policemen from Patikul Municipal Police Station and a member of the BPAT were onboard a vehicle, traversing Jolo-Taglibi road, when more or less seven local terrorists fired shots at them.

Sobejana said the encounter only lasted for five minutes. The local terrorists immediately withdrew from the fight, Sobejana added.

Sobejana said the initial target was the BPAT outpost in Barangay Buhanginan.

Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Sulu spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Monfort said those wounded were rushed to Kuta Heneral Bautista Hospital in Jolo for medication.

During a follow-up operation conducted by troops from the 6th Special Forces Battalion, two suspected Abu Sayyaf members identified as "Sandy" and "Wanlab" were killed, Sobejana said.

—LDF, GMA News