ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Four soldiers were wounded during a firefight between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sumisip Municipality, Basilan province on Saturday, April 2.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, said soldiers were conducting combat operations when they encountered nine members of the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Sucaten.
The bandits retreated after a short firefight but were pursued and engaged anew by government troops.
Four soldiers and a still undetermined number of ASG bandits were wounded during the firefight.
The government troops also recovered high-powered firearms, ammunition and war materials during the encounter.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Western Mindanao Command chief, assured medical treatment for the wounded soldiers. He also commended Joint Task Force Basilan troops for their ‘selfless service and untiring dedication to their sworn duty.’