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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/04 December) – Three suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while two soldiers were wounded in a clash Thursday in Basilan province, a military official said.
Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, Western Mindanao Command information officer, said the clash took place around 6:55 a.m. Thursday in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.
Muyuela said the clash ensued as the troops chanced upon a group of suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits while conducting law enforcement operation in the area.
She said the bandits scampered and fled to different directions as the troops outmaneuvered them. They are believed to be followers of Abu Sayyaf leaders Furudji Indama and Nurhassan Jamiri.
Muyuela did not release the identities of the wounded soldiers except to say they belong to the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion.
She said the injured troops were airlifted to a hospital for treatment.
She said the law enforcement operation against the Abu Sayyaf bandits continued.
The law enforcement operation started after the bandits released their two German hostages last October in Sulu. (MindaNews)