5 troopers slain in Abu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Five Army soldiers were killed while 23 others were wounded in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf bandits in the hinterlands of Patikul, Sulu on Friday afternoon.

The troopers of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion were on their way to rescue the remaining hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf when they encountered the bandits in Barangay Liang at around 4 p.m.

The firefight occurred hours after outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the peace and order situation in Mindanao has improved and tourists have started flocking into the region.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman for Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the troops encountered more than 50 followers of Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

The firefight lasted an hour and a half, Besana said, adding the bandits suffered an undetermined number of casualties.

Fifteen of the wounded soldiers were airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Westmincom headquarters  here for treatment.

The others, who suffered minor injuries, were brought to the AFP Station Hospital at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Busbus, Jolo.

The military withheld the names of the slain and wounded soldiers until after their families are notified.

Freed

Meanwhile, the Abu Sayyaf freed unharmed one of their captives allegedly after payment of P1-million ransom in Patikul on Thursday.

Helen Roda was reportedly  released at around 2:30 p.m. in Barangay Anuling by Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders Almujer Yadah and Injam Yadah, the Sulu police reported yesterday.

The ransom was reportedly delivered by two unidentified negotiators, who escorted the victim out of the jungles.

Roda arrived in this city aboard a ferry boat on Friday and proceeded to her hometown in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

She and her husband Roco were snatched by 10 armed men wearing camouflage uniforms who barged into their home in September.

Roco was released in October allegedly after payment of P1-million ransom.

Roda’s release brought down the number of Abu hostages to six, including a Dutch national, a Vietnamese and four Filipinos. – With John Unson, Jaime Laude