MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Seven Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed while 17 soldiers were wounded in gunfights Saturday in Patikul town in Sulu. In an initial statement Saturday, the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City said the hostilities in Barangay Bakong, Patikul erupted when Abu Sayyaf terrorists opened fire on soldiers approaching their lair there from two directions. The soldiers returned fire and succeeded in driving their attackers away after killing seven of them in the two-hour skirmishes. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo of the military-led anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu said seven bodies of Abu Sayyaf bandits were found scattered in the scenes of the running firefights. Six other bandits were reportedly wounded in the encounter.

Source: Philippine Star September 15, 2018 10:41 UTC