Eight soldiers were hurt following a 40-minute encounter with the members of the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu. The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), Armed Forces of the Philippines has not yet identified the number of casualties on the side of the terrorists. The WestMinCom assured that it will impose tighter surveillance on the security of the province. The pursuit operation against the enemy, moreover, is ongoing.
