Three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed in a clash in Tuburan, Basilan Sunday dawn, the military reported.
Joint Task Group Basilan chief Col. Rolando Bautista said government troops were conducting an operation in Barangay Campo Dos in Lamitan City to get Abdul Hassan Tanadjalun alias “Bullet” when they were fired upon by the bandits.
After the initial clash, the troops encountered 15 more bandits in ensuing pursuit operations Lower Sinangkapan in Tuburan.
The troops recovered three bodies from the clash site, including that of Tanadjalun.
The two other fatalities were identified as Rey Cuebas Santos and Arian Sapii.
Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela said three soldiers wounded in the clash.
Meanwhile, an Abu Sayyaf Group sub-leader identified as Ben Saudi, brother of Aljine Jaelan Mundok, alias “Ninok Saparri,” another ASG sub-leader, was wounded in a clash with government troops at around 11:20 a.m. in Barangay Liang, Patikul also on Sunday.
According to Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, the soldiers were conducting special operations when they encountered the group of Saudi.
Saudi has three standing warrants of arrest for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a German couple and a Chinese national in 2014.
