Philippines: Military claims killing 40 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu and Basilan
The week-long offensive by government security forces in Sulu and Basilan against the Abu Sayyaf has resulted in the killing of 40 terrorists and the wounding of 25 others, a regional military spokesman said Monday.
“Focused military operations are intensified, in coordination with the police and the local governments of the provinces of Basilan and Sulu, to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf Group,” Major Filemon Tan of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command said.
Tan said the casualties increased on Sunday in the Basilan fighting to 18 dead and nine wounded, while 22 were dead and 16 wounded in Sulu, based on reports gathered.
Among the identified terrorists killed in the operations in Barangays Baguindan and Silangkum in Basilan last July 7 were Julkifli Sariul and Kussien Pallam Seong.