Two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group identified by authorities as terrorists were slain while two others were wounded in a clash with troops Thursday in a barangay in Patikul, Sulu.
Military officials said the terrorists were hit by artillery fire while security forces were hunting down remnants of a militant group linked to the attacks at the Catholic Cathedral in Muslim-dominated capital town of Jolo.
Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said the battle occurred after troops from the 41st Infantry Battalion led by one Maj. Oloan who were pursuing terrorists chanced upon eight bandits in Sitio Tubig.
Overwhelmed by the gun bursts from ground troops, the bandit group scampered and fled towards a hilly portion of the village.
To disrupt their escape, artillery battalion fired several rounds of 105mm projectiles and 81 mm mortar against the ASG members in Luba Hill in Tanum village where the bandits were believed to have withdrawn.
Besana said the troops that engaged the Abu Sayyaf were still scouring the battle site while soldiers nearby were alerted to pursue and intercept the fleeing bandits.
Troops have had four encounters with the ASG following the Mt. Carmel bombing which left 23 people dead and 123 others wounded, the deadliest terror attack this year.
So far, the relentless hunt against the Abu Sayyaf led by its notorious and radical chieftain Hatib Sawadjaan had resulted in the death of seven ASG members and five soldiers—all taking place in the hinterlands of Patikul, Sulu.
Sawadjaan reportedly ascended to the ASG leadership and becoming acting Islamic State emir in the Philippines and Southeast Asia replacing Isnilon Hapilon who was killed in the five months battle in Marawi City in 2016.
