2 Abus, soldier killed in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two Abu Sayyaf bandits and a soldier were killed while six other militants were wounded in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu on Thursday. 

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, identified the slain soldier as Sgt. Allan Caliguiran.

Tan said soldiers belonging to the 21st Infantry Battalion encountered around 150 bandits led by Radullan Sahiron, Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Mujer Yadah in Sitio Datag, Barangay Panglayahan at around 9:35 a.m. The firefight lasted for 30 minutes. 

Government troops recovered a rifle and ammunition from the fleeing bandits.

Meanwhile, Tan said two Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and an undetermined number of Maute group members were wounded in an encounter yesterday.

He said MILF fighters led by Jimmy Balitor encountered the group of Abdullah Maute  in the boundary of Buldon and Barira in Maguindanao and Butig, Lanao del Norte. 

The MILF is helping the military in its pursuit operations against Maute militants after driving the group out of Butig  two weeks ago.

At least 63 militants were killed and 17 others were wounded in the clashes. Two soldiers were killed and 39 other government troopers were wounded.                

In a related development, Ahmad Magatus Adil, with aliases of Abu Umbra and Abdulrakman Zacaria, was collared at his safehouse in Barangay Mampang on Thursday.

Adil’s arrest was based on a warrant issued by Basilan Regional Trial Court 1 Judge Leo Jay Principe.

The suspect was tagged in the kidnapping of eight plantation workers in Barangay Tairan in Lantawan, Basilan in 2001. Five of the victims were beheaded.