3 soldiers hurt in Sulu encounter

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Three soldiers were wounded following an encounter with Abu Sayyaf bandits in the mountains of Indanan, Sulu on Sunday.

The firefight between troopers of the Army’s 100th Infantry Battalion and followers of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron broke out at around 11 a.m. in Barangay Tumatangis, according to Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu and the Army’s 11th Division.

The firefight lasted 30 minutes before the bandits retreated, bringing with them their wounded comrades.

The Army expressed belief that the bandit group incurred casualties.

The wounded soldiers were brought to the Military Station Hospital at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista. One of them was transferred to a private hospital in Zamboanga City for further treatment.

The military launched a pursuit operation for the fleeing bandits.

Troopers recovered food items and other personal belongings at the scene of the firefight.

Meanwhile, in Surigao del Norte, five suspected New People’s Army guerrillas were wounded following an encounter in the town of Bacuag.

The firefight forced the rebels to abandon their camp in Barangay Pungtod.

Soldiers recovered from the scene of the encounter a rifle, grenade launcher tube, ammunition and personal belongings.