ZAMBOANGA CITY鈥擜 soldier and a suspected Abu Sayyaf gunman were killed in a 30-minute clash in Patikul town of Sulu on Saturday, the military said.
Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the clash occurred at around 9:55 a.m. in Kabbon-Takas village while troops of the 9th Scout Ranger Company were on combat operation.
Vinluan added that the government troops encountered about 30 armed men believed to be led by Radullan Sahiron and Mundi Sawadjaan.
After the gunfight, the soldiers recovered a dead body, identified as a certain Samir Sanni, while two Abu Sayyaf fighters were captured.
Seven soldiers were also wounded in the clash.
In a press statement released by Joint Task Force Sulu, it said the operation was aimed to search and destroy the Abu Sayyaf following the August 24 twin bombing in Jolo town that left 17 people killed and over 70 wounded.
鈥淲e will employ all military assets to destroy the fleeing Abu Sayyaf members who are the perpetrators of the Jolo bombing,鈥� said Brigadier General William Gonzales, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu.
Gonzales thanked Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini for leading the August 27 declaration of the Abu Sayyaf as 鈥榩ersona non grata鈥� or unwelcome in their town.