At least nine Daesh-affiliated militants and an Army trooper have been killed and thirteen others, including six soldiers, injured in an ongoing military operations in the jungles of southern Sulu.
"Sulu encounters, Abu Sayyaf Group enemy side as per intelligence report, 9 killed, 13 wounded," Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, told reporters in a statement Thursday night.
The encounter took place in Barangay Kabuntakas, Patikul, Sulu.
Tan said operating elements of 45th Infantry Battalion (45IB) from the Philippine Army 501st Brigade while conducting FMO (Focused Military Operation) encountered more or less 130 Abu Sayyaf armed men believed to be led by ASG senior leader Radulan Sahiron.
Sahiron is a one-armed leader of the Abu Sayyaf militant group who has been on a U.S. State Department wanted list with a $1 million reward for his capture since his involvement in the kidnapping of U.S. tourists in 2001.
As of this posting, sporadic firefight is still ongoing and the 8th Field Artillery Battalion provides indirect fire support to the engaging troops, according to Tan.
"Our troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion was directed to close in with the enemy and provide reinforcement but was engaged by the Abu Sayyaf group. Initial result: 1 killed in action and 7 wounded in action on the government side," Tan added.
In Basilan, meantime, a series of encounter between elements of Joint Task Force Basilan and more or less 200 Abu Sayyaf militants brokeout on Thursday.
Tan said the clashes began after the Abu Sayyaf bandits led by ASG senior leader Isnilun Hapilun and his commander Furuji Indaman attacked the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Ungkaya Pukan town on Wednesday night.
Superintendent Oscar Nantes, police chief for Basilan, told DXNO Radyo Komunidad station that he he has dispatched more police forces to Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan to help the military.
According to Nantes, at least 2,000 families from Ungkaya Pukan, Tipo-Tipo and Al Barka towns have been displaced so far.
Earlier military reports said government troops continue to fight Daesh-affiliated militants in Basilan, which they assaulted over the weekend.
“The firefight is sporadic. It can be intense for how many minutes and it will stop and it will go on again after a few minutes,” Tan said in a text message.
He added focused military operations are currently being intensified in all efforts of the military to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf group based in the province of Basilan.
Tan said a series of airstrikes and artillery fires were delivered by military troops, targeting more or less 150 Abu Sayyaf members under Isnilun Hapilun and Furuji Indama last Sunday, July 3.
Late last year, Hapilon, the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf group leader, and Indama pledged allegiance to the Islamic State or Daesh.
In April 9 of this year, Hapilon and Indama led an attack against soldiers also in Tipo-Tipo, killing 18 soldiers and injuring several others.
Tan said troops are currently blocking an undetermined number of militants, whose positions also were pounded by airstrikes earlier.
No casualty was reported on the government side as of this posting, while the number of casualties inflicted on the Abu Sayyaf Group is yet to be determined by troops.
But DXNO-Radyo Komunidad reported that a resident of Barangay Matata in Tipo-Tipo town was injured after a splinter of mortar fire hit him while he was walking along the road shortly before 12 noon Thursday.
Citing a statement of barangay chairman of Baguindan, the local radio station also confirmed the presence of Hapilun and Indama in the area and that the military offensive has so far caused the destruction of rubber trees plantation, government projects, and the temporary suspension of classes in four villages in Tipo-Tipo.
The continued fighting has also forced undetermined civilians to flee homes, according to the radio report.
In Sulu, the military said troops continue to operate in an area where kidnap victim Kjartan Sekkingstand is known to be located.
"As to the report that the kidnap victim will be beheaded anytime, we cannot confirm or deny that," Tan said.
He said the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu continue to conduct focused military operations where intelligence reports point operations should be conducted." MGP News
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