7 ASG killed, 6 wounded including notorious Abu sub-leader wounded in recent encounter in Sulu

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY (Sept. 15, 2018) –  Seven ASG members were killed while six others including a notorious Abu Sayyafs sub-leader were wounded in recent encounter in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu while  the joint government troopsconducting focused military operation, military official said.

LTC Gerry M. Besana, WesMinCom spokesperson disclosed that the troops of the Task Group Panther led by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Yunque together with a group of scout rangers led by Captain Michael Asistores encountered more or less one hundred fully armed Abu Sayyafs under senior leader Radullan Sahiron and sub leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu.

LTC Besana said the the firefight ensued at around 1:30pm Friday afterwhich enemies withdrew due to the pressure imposed by the operating troops.

LTC Besana added that based on the report of Joint Task Force Sulu headed by Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, seven ASG members were killed, based on body count, and six others were wounded including ASGSL Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan who was seriously hit in his stomach and lower extremities.

Seventeen soldiers were also slightly wounded during the encounter due to shrapnel while more casualties on the enemy side are yet to be determined based on the blood stains spotted in the encounter site, Besana also said.

Battle casualties were immediately rushed to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for proper medical treatment. while the cadavers of the slain ASG members were also brought to the said hospital for forensic examination and proper disposition, Besana also said.

Also recovered on the encounter site were: One M16 rifle, 4 5.56 mm magazines, 1 bandolier, 1 touchscreen cellular phone and assorted war materiel and ammunitions. "I commend the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu for this recent accomplishment,” said Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"All sorts of assistance will be provided to the battle casualties and our prayers are with them for their speedy recovery," WesMinCom Chief added.

As of this report, more troops have been deployed to go after the fleeing bandits.