DAVAO CITY – Three alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed while 16 government soldiers were wounded in a clash in Patikul town, Sulu Tuesday afternoon, June 21.
Ten suspected terrorists were also wounded, according to a Philippine News Agency report.
Major Filemon Tan, spokesperson Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) said the encounter took place around 2:20 pm at Sitio Bud Dawa Bayho in Patikul.
He said the ASG numbered to about 200 engaged troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Ramon Flores who were conducting clearing operations for an hour and half of fighting.
Tan said that “the soldiers who were wounded in the encounter were immediately brought to Trauma Hospital KHTB, Busbus, Jolo, Sulu for prompt medical treatment.”
Tan said the Army will continue to intensify the conduct of focused military operations in Sulu “to pin down the ASG brigands and rescue the hostages.”
Among the foreign hostages are Dutchman bird watcher Ewold Horn, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingtad.
Horn was kidnapped last February 2012 in Tawi-tawi, while Sekkingtan was kidnapped last September 21, 2015 at a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) along with Canadian nationals John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, and Hall’s girlfriend Filipina, Marites Flor.
The ASG beheaded Ridsdel on April 25 and Hall on June 13 after the deadline to pay their ransom lapsed. (davaotoday.com)
