At least three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed and scores were wounded, including four soldiers in a 40-minute firefight Sunday in Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan.
According to Captain Roy Trinidad, chief of staff of the Joint Task Force “Zambasulta” (Zamboanga, Basilan, Silu, and Tawi-Tawi), “Operating troops of Joint Task Group-Basilan encountered an estimated 50 combined members of the ASG under sub-leader Radzmil Jannatul at around 11:50 o’clock this morning that resulted in the deaths of the bandits.”
Trinidad said that in the middle of the firefight, another group of lawless elements led by a certain Katatuh Balaman joined Jannatul’s group. This, he said, prolonged the fighting.
“The troops were conducting clearing operations when they chanced upon Jannatul’s group. They were joined later by the group of Balaman,” Trinidad added.
Government reinforcements forced the bandits to withdraw into different directions.
“Troops are now relentlessly pursuing the Abu Sayyaf,” Trinidad said.
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Group Basilan has inserted more elite forces into areas where the bandits likely withdrew.
