2 Sayyaf men killed, 2 Rangers hurt in Basilan encounter

ZAMBOANGA CITY Philippines  – Two suspected Abu Sayyaf militants were killed while two Army Scout Rangers were wounded when government troops clashed with terrorists and renegade rebels in a village of Sumisip town, Basilan on Sunday, according to military official. 

The military official said the encounter happened when government troops launched assaults after reports were confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf and renegade rebels were massing in Barangay Etub-Etub, a remote village in Sumisip town.

Col. Alex Macario, commander of the Special Operations Task Force-Basilan (SOTF-B), said elements of the Army Scout Ranger stormed the area and fighting erupted about 6 a.m. leaving two militants killed and undetermined others wounded from the encounter. 

Macario said the casualty from the Abu Sayyaf was based on body count, a military jargon describing the number of slain combat figures. 

“Two from the combined forces of the Abu Sayyaf and renegades were killed and an undetermined number wounded,” Macario said in a phone interview from his base in Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan. 

He said the operating Army rangers also recovered two M16 rifles and 15 motorcycle units from the rebels that massed up in the area. 

The military official believed that the rebel group it encountered could be members of the Abu Sayyaf under Puruji Indama, who is known to be operating in Sumisip. 

Macario said during the firefight, two Scout Rangers were slightly wounded. The two were identified only as Sgt. Ramirez and Cpl. Romero.

The Abu Sayyaf and renegade rebels broke up into small groups and retreated after incurring casualties. 

Macario said troops are pursuing those who escaped through intelligence tracking and surgical strikes. 

“This is to prevent them from regrouping and maintaining camps and conduct trainings,” Macario said.