MANILA, Philippines – One soldier was killed while 3 others were wounded in another encounter between the Army and alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf in Sumisip town, Basilan, Wednesday morning, August 15.
The Army said troops from the 20th Special Forces company and the 4th Special Forces Battalion were conducting “clearing operations” in a jungle base in Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan, at around 8.45 am when they encountered about 35 suspected Abu Sayyaf members led by a certain Juhaibel Alamsirul.
Firefight lasted for 30 minutes. The Army said the troops killed some Abu Sayyaf members as well but could not say how many.
Sumisip has been the site of at least 4 fatal encounters between the Army and the Abu Sayyaf this year. The town’s huge rubber plantations have been constantly harassed by Abu Sayyaf rebels, who want a share in the revenue pie of these plantations, according to Army officers.
The Army deployed a new commander last month to fix the problem, the bemedalled Col Charlie Galvez. – Rappler.com
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