Philippines: 1 militant dead, 4 troops injured in clash

By Hader Glang & Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines

At least one member of a Daesh-linked militant group was killed and four soldiers injured in an overnight clash in the Philippines’ majority Muslim south, according to the military Friday.

Maj. Filemon Tan, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, told reporters, “the body [of slain Abu Sayyaf] was recovered from the encounter site and there were bloodstains and human tissues scattered in the area."

The encounter in Ungkaya Pukan in Basilan island province came less than a week after a 10-hour clash left at least 18 troops dead in nearby Tipo-Tipo town.

Tan said that the number of fatalities among the Abu Sayyaf since Saturday’s battle has reached 32 with the latest death.

"We are expecting that the number of Abu Sayyaf casualties will rise more because the area is being scoured by the troops," he added.

Troops engaged in pursuit operations have reportedly recovered components for improvised explosive devices, cellular phone chargers, assorted medicines, backpacks and rifle grenades.

The commander of the Basilan-based 104th Infantry Brigade said the body had been turned over to the proper authorities and then to the family of the slain "so that he will be given appropriate burial in accordance with their cultural and religious tradition".

In a statement, Col. Rolando Bautista described the ongoing offensive as “intensified counter violent extremism and efforts of the military to protect civilian communities in Basilan."

He commended the bravery and dedication of the troops, saying that the four who sustained minor injuries “opted to stay with the operating troops after being given first aid by combat medics."

Since the weekend, militants identifying themselves as members of a one-time al-Qaeda splinter group that has pledged allegiance to Daesh have claimed involvement in Saturday’s fatal encounter.

The army has been referring to all the dead militants as Abu Sayyaf members, although several were pictured wearing Daesh insignia.