Sayyaf men attack military camp; 4 soldiers wounded

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Four soldiers were wounded in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf bandits who attacked a military camp in Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, said about 150 followers of Radullan Sahiron strafed the headquarters of the 32nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Bonbon around 8:15 p.m.

The wounded soldiers, whose names were withheld, were brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista hospital for treatment.

Arrojado said pursuit operations were launched against the bandits, who retreated to the mountains. He alerted troops near the camp of the 32nd IB to provide reinforcement and set up checkpoints.

He said the attack could be a diversionary tactic of the Abu Sayyaf in view of the military operations against Sahiron.

Sahiron has been added to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list for his alleged role in the kidnapping of an American missionary in 1993 and the raid at the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan in 2001.

The attack came on the heels of clashes in Al Barka, Basilan, which left at least two soldiers dead. The military said fighting was still raging in Barangay Makala yesterday.