By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY
Two members of an al-Qaeda-linked militant group were killed in a clash that left seven others – including four soldiers – wounded in the southern Philippine province of Sulu – a known Abu Sayyaf stronghold.
Ensign Chester Ramos, spokesperson of the region’s Joint Task Force Zambasulta, told The Anadolu Agency the firefight erupted at around 9.10 a.m. (0110GMT) in Tagbili village when some 20 Abu Sayyaf gunmen fired on soldiers conducting "law enforcement" patrol.
The Abu Sayyaf suffered two fatalities that were confirmed by “reliable informants,” according to Ramos.
Four soldiers who sustained injuries were immediately transported to a medical facility at Camp General Teodolfo Bautista in provincial capital Jolo for treatment.
In a press statement, Capt. Rowena Muyuela, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said three militants were also wounded in the clashes, which spread from Taglibi to Kabuntakas – another village in Patikul town.
Citing a statement by Col. Allan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, she said the firefight is ongoing.
Muyuela added that as of 12.45 p.m. Thursday, troops had discovered an Abu Sayyaf harboring site in the area of the encounter.
"The discovered camp can accommodate more or less 15 persons," she said. "The success of the law enforcement operations was made possible through the joint efforts of the AFP [Philippine army] and the PNP [national police] to contain lawless elements in the province."
Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion in a self-determined fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines.
It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.
