Troops Clash Against ASG in Sulu

Zamboanga (PNA) — Government forces clashed with members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the hinterlands of Sulu, a military official said Thursday.

Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the clash broke out around 9:10 a.m. Thursday at Sitio Kan Udang, Barangay Taglibi, Patikul, Sulu.

Muyuela said the troops from the Joint Task Group Sulu headed by 1Lt. Dennis Arado were conducting law enforcement operation when they clashed with the ASG led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

Sawadjaan is one of the mid-level ASG leaders based in Sulu province.

Muyuela said there was no casualty reported on both the troops and the ASG militants as the “firefight is ongoing” as of press time.

She said the law enforcement operation is a joint effort of the military and police aimed to neutralize the ASG and other lawless groups. (PNA) FFC/TPGJR/EBP