(Eagle News)–Five soldiers were killed and five others were injured in a clash with Abu Sayyaf members led by one of the men allegedly behind the Jolo, Sulu twin blasts on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Col. Gerry Besana, Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said in an interview over radio dzbb that three Abu Sayyaf members led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan were also killed and more than 15 bandits were injured, including a “high-value target,” in the clash in Patikul that began around 11:30 a.m.
Sawadjaan, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a television interview on Friday, Feb. 1, had as “project” the blasts at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, like the Lamitan bombing in 2018.
He said Abu Sayyaf’s Ajang-Ajang commander Kamah was also among those who assisted the Indonesian couple in carrying out the suicide bombings there to “set an example” for Filipino terrorists to become suicide bombers.
In a previous interview over radio dzmm, Besana said the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion under Lieutenant Col. Marlo Jomalesa clashed with around 100 Abu Sayyaf bandits.
