‘Bandit’ slain in Sulu clash
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An alleged follower of an Abu Sayyaf suicide bomber was killed in an encounter that left two soldiers wounded in Patikul, Sulu on Monday.
The military identified the fatality as Rhudymar Habib Jihiran, alias Gulam, said to be a follower of Abu Sayyaf subleader Mudzrimar Sawadajaan, alias Mundi.
Troopers of the Army’s 111th Division Reconnaissance Company were conducting tracking operations when they encountered the followers of Sawadajaan in the hinterlands of Barangay Kabbon Takas, according to Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.
Mundi was tagged as the mastermind in several bomb attacks in Mindanao. He reportedly succeeded his uncle Hatib Hajan Sawadajaan as leader of the group.
During the initial firefight, the bandits immediately retreated.
Patrimonio said that while fleeing, the militants clashed with a reinforcement unit of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion, which resulted in the death of Jihiran.
The wounded soldiers were brought to the Army’s Station Hospital at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Busbus, Jolo for treatment of gunshot wounds.
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