9 troopers hurt in Sulu clashes

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Nine Army soldiers were wounded in separate encounters with Abu Sayyaf bandit group in the jungles of Sulu on Saturday morning.

The firefight erupted as government security forces were tracking down the bandit group, which is believed to be coddling foreign terrorists.

The military said the first encounter occurred in a hinterland village bordering the municipalities of Maimbung and Parang.

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said members of the 15th Scout Ranger Company initially clashed with about 15 militants at around 8:25 a.m. in Barangay Lagasan.

Several bandits and an Army ranger were wounded in the initial clash.

As the militants were fleeing, they encountered troopers from the Alpha Company of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion, which were dispatched in the area to support the Scout Rangers.

Citing reports from the 11th Division and Joint Task Force Sulu, Encinas described the second skirmish as intense, as it left eight soldiers wounded.

The wounded troopers were brought for to a hospital at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo.