3 Abu Sayyaf members killed in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Three members of the Abu Sayyaf group were killed while 15 were wounded, including ten Marines and five Abu Sayyaf bandits, in an encounter Friday morning in the mountain of Patikul town, Sulu, a senior military ground official said.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said the troops encountered about 300 followers from the combined groups of at least five Abu Sayyaf leaders about 6:29 a.m. in the vicinity of Mt. Awak in Barangay Latih.

The Marines composed of Special Operations Platoon 2 from the 2nd Marine Company and 32nd Marine Company were on focused military operations when they engaged the followers in combat of Abu Sayyaf leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, Muamar Askali alias “Abu Ramy,” Almuktar, Namiel Ahajari, Basaron Arok and an unidentified henchman of Yasser Igasan .

Arrojado said supporting Marine forces launched heavy artillery shelling towards the Abu Sayyaf positions that prompted the group to retreat.

The encounter resulted to the death of three Abu Sayyaf members, identified as Umaili Jarmaani alias "Nidil," Aljimar Barin and Ardam Muhajili, all natives of Patikul, according to military intelligence sources. Two of the five wounded Abu Sayyaf bandits were identified as Sueb and Anas.  

“At least 10 Marines were wounded during the encounter,” Arrojado said. “The wounded soldiers were in stable condition.”

The wounded soldiers were identified as Sgt. Rey Addatu, Cpls. Elmer de Jesus Jr., Francisco Masanda III, Jomar Ballad, Private 1st Class Reygie Gapuz, Denmark Wanasen, Joseph Accad, Private Dionisio Lava Jr., Ronwaldo Dalayday and Paul Julius Calamay.

According to Arrojado, they relentlessly pursue the bandits who withdrew heading towards Barangay Maligay and Sitio Kanjimao, Barangay Buhanginan, all in Patikul town.

The military also launched joint ground artillery towards the withdrawal routes of the militants while others sealed the possible location of the Abu Sayyaf group to prevent them from escaping.

The military has intensified the operation to rescue the remaining hostages from the Abu Sayyaf group following threats of harming the captives.