ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A 3-year-old boy was wounded when Abu Sayyaf bandits attacked a village in Patikul, Sulu on Wednesday afternoon.
The military said the attack triggered a firefight between the bandits and village watchmen who responded to the scene.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, chief of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Ninok Sapari harassed the residents of Barangay Sandah at around 2:30 p.m.
Arrojado said watchmen, led by village chief Jainulla Jawari, exchanged fire with the bandits for 15 minutes and succeeded in driving the gunmen away.
The boy was brought to the headquarters of the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion for treatment.
The military said residents support the ongoing military operations against the bandits in the area.
It said this could be the reason why the bandits harassed them.