6 soldiers killed, 4 wounded in Sumisip clash with ASG

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Six soldiers were killed while four others were wounded in a four-hour encounter between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sumisip, Basilan Wednesday afternoon.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Commander Lt. Gen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr., said undetermined number of ASG fighters were killed when the 18th Infantry Battalion conducted a strike operation against the group of Siar Al-

hamsirol and Parong Tedi in Barangay Upper Cabengbeng, Sumisip after lunch Wednesday

“We are sad to report the death of six of your soldiers during the encounter on Wednesday in Basilan. Their cadavers were subsequently transported by the Joint Task Force Basilan to Zamboanga City. Two remains were claimed by the next of kin,” Galvez said.

“As we mourn, combat operations against the bandits will be intensified with our intelligence operations and sustained campaign to defeat the remaining terrorists,” he said.

“Rest assured that this will not stop us from crushing the enemies of the state,” he added.

The wounded were promptly evacuated by the troops to the headquarters of the 64th Infantry Battalion and were subsequently brought to Camp Navarro General Hospital and a private hospital in this city for medical attention.

The bandits were reportedly reinforced by another group of ASG that engaged the troops near the Basilan Circumferential Road in Sumisip prolonging the engagement.

“As they edged towards the circumferential road, operating troops were met with heavy fire by lawless elements believed to be relatives and sympathizers of the Abu Sayyaf bandits,” said Colonel Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.

The ground troops were reinforced by air support provided by the Air Force while troops of the 64th and 68th Infantry Battalions augmented the ground troops on the engagement site. (With a report from Aaron B. Recuenco)