2 Members of Abu Sayyaf killed, 2 soldiers wounded in Sulu clash

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 08:47 am

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command, two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed in a clash between the rebel group and government troops in Sulu on Sunday.

The clash resulted in the killing of two ASG members, named ASG sub-leader Taullah Abdurasa or “Amah Ollah” and “Baby Ollah,” both of whom are on the military watch list.

The combined party of Abu Sayyaf commander Radullan Sahiron and sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan clashed with elements of the 15th Scout Ranger Company in a gunfight at 1 pm.

Sawadjaan is the ISIS group’s current emir or representative in the Philippines, as previous emir Isnilon Hapilon was killed during the 2017 Marawi siege, according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

Two soldiers suffered minor injuries and treatment.

Instantly, mortar teams provided fire support to the military troops.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of WestMinCom, said offensives continue to pound down fighters at Abu Sayyaf.

He added that the troops are constricting the movement of the rebel group in the ZamBaSulTa area and preempting terror ploys.

“In order to weaken the rebels in Sulu, we develop military and intelligence operations,” he said in a statement.

Following the gunfight two high-powered firearms were recovered.