Fighting erupts in Sulu

SULU – Troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf militants on Saturday and killing one gunman, but security officials said a soldier was also slain with four others wounded in Sulu province in southern Philippines.

Lt. Col. Gerald Monfort, an army spokesman, said intelligence reports claimed that four more militants were killed and 5 others wounded in the 30-minute gun battle in Kabbon Takas village in Patikul town.

Military photos show the body of the slain militant and personal belongings.

He said the soldiers recovered only one body of slain militant, including an automatic rifle and personal belongings left behind by those who fled the fighting. 

At least 40 militants under a notorious militant leader Hajan Sawadjaan engaged the soldiers in the firefight. It was unclear whether Sawadjaan led the militants in the fight or not. 

Army Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, mourned the death of his soldier.

“The untimely death of our soldier in today’s armed encounter will never weaken our spirit in the fight against terrorism,” he said, adding, troops were pursuing those who managed to escape from the military operation.

The wounded soldiers were rushed to a military hospital in the capital town of Jolo. (Zamboanga Post)

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