3 soldiers killed in Sulu clash Koronadal police chief sacked

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Three soldiers were killed, while 13 others were wounded, in an encounter with an estimated 80 gunmen of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Patikul, Sulu .at sunrise Friday.

A military report reaching the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) here, Friday, indicated that the group of ASG was led by Hatib Sawadjaan also suffered several fatalities and wounded comrades.

The military said the encounter took place in Sitio Atol, Barangay Latih in Patikul, Sulu about 6:50 am yesterday. The firefight was still ongoing, the report said.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) gunship helicopter have given the ground troops aerial support as they chased the ASG into the hinterlands of Barangay Latih.

The military detachment located in Barangay Latih and Barangay Danag delivered four rounds of 81mm and five rounds of 81mm mortar shells in the direction of the ASG, the military report said.

Soldiers from the 21st Infantry Battalion stations in the two barangays were immediately dispatched to form a blocking force to prevent the ASG from eluding the pursuit military operations against them.

Soldiers from the 41st IB located in Barangay Buhanginan were already moved to Barangay Bungcaong to join in the operations.

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Police Regional Office-12 director P/ Brig. Gen. Eliseo Rasco has ordered the relief of this city’s police chief and at least eight of his subordinates after a video went viral in the social which showed the policemen involved in a drinking and gambling spree inside the police station.

P/Lt Col Benjiel Kirby Bajo and eight other police personnel have been ordered relieved by Rasco pending the investigation on the incident which showed the erring police personnel drinking and playing cards inside the police station here. (Joseph Jubelag)