9 ASG fighters slain in Sulu
Nine Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists, including a sub-leader, were killed following a series of encounters in Patikul, Sulu on Thursday, April 11.
A report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) identified the ASG sub-leader killed as Julie Ikit.
The military disclosed that Ikit is said to be the cousin and "Number 2 Man" of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron.
Col. Gerry Besana, the spokesman of the AFP-WestMinCom, said that, based on the initial report he received, the nine ASG terrorists were killed following four separate encounters against government troops in two adjacent barangays of Patikul, Sulu, on Thursday.
Besana said troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion (32nd IB) conducted combat operations after they received information from concerned citizens of the presence of a number of Abu Sayyaf militants in their area.
Besana said while the troops of the 32nd IB were scouring Sitio Bud Taming, Barangay Panglayahan, Patikul, Sulu, they were engaged by more or less 120 Abu Sayyaf terrorists under the command of Sahiron and Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan at about 10:37 a.m.
According to Besana, the encounter, which lasted for almost an hour, forced the local terrorist group to scamper away, leaving behind one of their members who died in the initial firefight.
During verification, the killed terrorist was later identified as Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Julie Ikit. Among the items seized in the area where the encounter took place include a pair of night vision goggles, 40 makeshift tents, five sacks of rice and 50 water gallons.
Basena said at about 3:45 p.m. the same day, members of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion who were tasked to block the terrorists’ withdrawal, engaged the Abu Sayyaf at Sitio Kan Isnain, Brgy. Kabun Takas also in Patikul.
The remains of a still unidentified terrorist was later found by the troops following a quick search in the area.
The Abu Sayyaf, Besana said, reportedly split into small groups to avoid being caught by the pursuing troops.
At about 5 p.m. the same day, government troops once again engaged members of the Abu Sayyaf at Sitio Kan Isnain. Some 45 minutes later, another encounter took place near the area.
Besana said an additional seven Abu Sayyaf terrorists were reportedly killed, while 19 others were also wounded as a result of the fierce encounters, quoting reliable sources on the ground.
Meanwhile, AFP Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu Commander Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., said the loss of Sahiron's trusted man is expected to have a big effect on the Abu Sayyaf's morale.
He also vowed to continue with their all-out military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf as part of efforts to rid Sulu of terrorists and extremists.
Pabayo said troops were still scouring nearby barangays where Sahiron and his men might have escaped.