Abu Sayyaf. AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Two Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in a gun battle with the military on Thursday morning in Sulu.
Soldiers led by First Lieutenant Dennis Arado figured with the Al Qaeda-linked group led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in sitio (sub-village) Kan Udang in Barangay (village) Taglibi, in Patikul around 9 a.m., Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Captain Rowena Muyuela said.
The government troops were able to seize seven high-powered firearms after a 30-minute clash.
A separate report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office said three soldiers were slightly wounded in the firefight.
Around noon, soldiers led by First Lieutenant Barbosa recovered a temporary harboring site by the bandits at Kabuntakas town in Patikul. It could accommodate about 15 persons and was believed to be abandoned two days ago, Muyuela said.