7 ASGs, 3 soldiers killed in Sulu clashes

Government forces have rescued an Indonesian captive of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu in the continuing assault against the notorious extremist group that left at least seven bandits dead on Friday alone, the military said yesterday.

Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said the rescue operation in the waters of Simusa Island in Banguingui town of Sulu, also resulted in the death of another Indonesian captive at around 6 p.m. on Friday.

“The rescued kidnap victim was identified as Heri Ardiansyah while the dead kidnap victim was identified as Hariadin, both Indonesians. Accordingly, Hariadin died due to drowning,” said Besana.

The gun battle, according to Besana, left three ASG fighters dead following the firefight that lasted for at least 10 minutes.

Almost six hours earlier, soldiers killed four Abu Sayyaf fighters following a raid in their camp in in Sitio Atol, Barangay Latih in Patikul also in Sulu.

But Besana said the fierce clash also resulted in the death of three soldiers and the wounding of 22 others.

“The camp had 37 fighting positions believed to have been occupied by 80 Abu Sayyaf militants under Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan,” said Besana.

The official said soldiers from the 21st and 41st Infantry Battalions were deployed and instructed to establish a blockade to contain the movement of the fleeing ASG fighters.

The military has been trying to eliminate the Abu Sayyaf for years now, its remaining strongholds are in Sulu and Basilan.