10 Abus killed, 32 soldiers hurt in clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – At least 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed and 32 soldiers wounded in an encounter in Talipao, Sulu on Sunday. 

Lt. Col. William George Cordova, commander of the 41st Infantry Battalion, and First  Lt. Joe Mari Landicho were among those wounded.

The soldiers clashed with around a hundred bandits led by Radullan Sahiron, Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Almujer Yadah in a forested area in Barangay Laos at around 9:30 a.m. The gunfight lasted for more than an hour.

Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Western Mindanao Command chief, said the troops launched the offensive after being tipped off that the bandits were hiding their Indonesian and Vietnamese captives in the area. 

Galvez said the bandits enjoyed the advantage of being on higher ground during the encounter, but the AFP was able to maximize the use of a 105mm howtizer.

Cordova, Ladicho and 20 others, who suffered minor injuries, were brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo. 

A soldier who was hit in the head and those seriously wounded were airlifted to the Camp Navarro General Hospital.  

Galvez said the troops found the mangled bodies of the fatalities, bloodied coconut palm and banana leaves used to retrieve the casualties as well as an M16 rifle.

Galvez said Joint Task Force Sulu led by Col. Cirilito Sobejana mobilized five battalions to prevent the bandits from escaping.

He said military operations to rescue the remaining captives of the Abu Sayyaf would continue.  – With Michael Punongbayan