ZAMBOANGA CITY – An undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists were killed and wounded in an encounter with government troops in the Indanan, Sulu hinterland.
Armed Force of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. said the soldiers also recovered two M14 rifles, three hammocks, two pairs of combat boots, two backpacks, and other belongings.
They also recovered photocopies of passports of two Indonesian nationals whose identities are still being verified, the military here said.
Vinluan said soldiers of the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion led by Lt. Col Herbert Dilag were conducting clearing operations in the forested areas of Barangay Adjid, Indanan, Sulu when they chanced upon the 15 ASG bandits who are said to be followers of suicide bomber Mundi Sawadjaan and ASG senior leader Radulan Sahiron at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
A firefight immediately ensued between the two groups that lasted for 20 minutes, Vinluan said.
“We immediately deployed supplemental troops to establish blockades in the possible withdrawal route of the local terrorists, “he said.
I am happy to report that there was no casualty on the government side during the 20-minute encounter with the ASG at Barangay Adjid, Indanan, Sulu,” he added.