Sayyaf men, soldier killed in Sulu clash
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Several Abu Sayyaf bandits and a soldier were killed in an encounter in Patikul, Sulu on Friday, according to an official.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said village informants confirmed that an undetermined number of bandits were killed and wounded in the firefight with personnel of the 21st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bungkaong at 5:38 p.m.
Besana said an M14 rifle was recovered from the bandits after a 30-minute gunfight.
“Based on... intelligence (reports), there was an undetermined number of casualties, but there was no figure available,” he said.
Besana said Cpl. Herald Malayag was airlifted to the Camp Navarro General Hospital in this city, where he was pronounced dead.
Pursuit operations for Abu Sayyaf bandits, who are still holding three foreigners and three Filipinos, are ongoing.
President Duterte ordered government forces to rescue the remaining hostages and wipe out the Abu Sayyaf before the end of this year.
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