2 more ASG gunmen killed in fresh Sulu gunbattle.

2 more ASG gunmen killed in fresh Sulu gunbattle


At least two more Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) gunmen were killed Tuesday afternoon in a fresh encounter with government troops in the mountainous area of Patikul, Sulu.

The new encounter involved soldiers from the 35th Infantry Battalion and 21st Infantry Battalion, who engaged about 30 ASG terrorists in a half-hour firefight.

The ASG gunmen were running away from an earlier firefight with the 45th Infantry Battalion, when they found themselves in another fight.

Witnesses said that they saw two dead ASG gunmen being carried by their companions, several of whom were also wounded. There were no government casualties.

The ASG were reportedly led by Jamiri Jaong Jawhari and Basaron Arok, two known subleaders of the bandit group.

Including the latest fatalities, a total of 32 ASG terrorists have now been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Philippine security forces to intensify operations against the group.

Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu said, "There will be no let up in the effort to rescue the remaining hostages. Our priority is the safe rescue of the victims and protection of local communities in Sulu against terrorists and criminal elements."

"We call on the Abu Sayyaf to stop these kidnappings and killings which are all violations of the Koran and against Islam as pointed out by Islamic scholars worldwide" dela Vega added.

Just last month, the ASG beheaded hostage Patrick Almodovar - a local Muslim resident. — DVM, GMA News