By Pearl Gumapos
Troops of the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion engaged in a firefight with more or less 20 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members on July 9 at 12:20 p.m and found the body of an unidentified bandit, the Joint Task Force Sulu said on Saturday.
“Residents of Brgy Lumping Pigi Daho reported that they have seen tents made of laminated sacks. Immediately, troops of 5th Scout Ranger Battalion who were operating nearby proceeded to the location. Then and there, they fought with more or less 20 Abu Sayyafs under sub-leader Mundi Sawadjaan and Ellam Nasirin. Upon clearing the encounter site, the troops found the cadaver of an unidentified bandit,” 11th Infantry Division Commander MGen. William Gonzales said.
According to 1101st Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Antonio Bautista Jr., the rangers were also able to recover 14 hammocks, 8 ponchos, 3 pairs of boots and foodstuff.
“Our combat trackers are doing their best to locate this group. Bloodstains were found at the temporary encampment and we believe that at least two other bandits were wounded during the 20-minutes gun battle.” Bautista said.
In a statement, MGen. Gonzales dedicated this accomplishment to the casualties of the July 4, 2021 plane crash incident.
“I commend the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion for this extraordinary feat. Troops here in Sulu are still mourning the death of our comrades who died on the C-130 mishap, but we have no choice but to keep on with our mandate. They came here to join us in our campaign for peace in Sulu. We honor them by striving to achieve that mission.”
A number of personnel from 11th Infantry Alakdan Division is at mainland Mindanao tending to the needs of the injured and assisting the families of the deceased. -rir
