Troops clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu

Government soldiers clashed with suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu on Thursday morning, the military said.

According to Joint Task Force Sulu, troops of the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion were conducting combat operations when they encountered Abu Sayyaf bandits under the leadership of Radulan Sahiron in Barangay Pansul at 8:40 a.m.

JTF Sulu said there was no casualty on government's side, during the firefight that lasted for 20 minutes.

Soldiers recovered M60 link ammunitions, 25 kilograms of rice, cooking paraphernalia and a cellphone in the encounter site.

A pursuit operation is ongoing to capture the bandits, the military said. —LBG, GMA News