ZAMBOANGA CITY–Government troops have recovered a high-powered firearm, an explosive and radio communication set following a clash in the hinterlands of Basilan province, a military official said Thursday.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits occurred around 5 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Suaten, Sumisip, Basilan.
Besana said the troops did not suffer any casualty, while verification is ongoing whether the Abu Sayyaf bandits, who fled to different directions, have suffered losses.
He said the troops from the Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion led by 1Lt. Pada Guingay and 2Lt. Ramon Mitra were on security operation when they encountered the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
The troops recovered from the clash site an M16A1 rifle with ammunition, a rifle grenade and a two-way radio transceiver. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
