Egyptian national, two ASG killed in Sulu encounter
MANILA – At least three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed when government troops in a clash Friday night.
In a report from the Zamboanga City-based AFP Western Mindanao Command, Lt. General Corleto Vinluan, Jr reported among the three fatalities were an Egyptian national identified as “Yusop” – stepson of an Egyptian national earlier killed in another armed encounter last November 2019 in Indanan, Sulu.
“Yusop” was reported to be son of Reda Mohammad Mahmud, popularly known as Sitti Aiza, another Egyptian national who was behind the suicide bombing attack at a military facility on Indanan, Sulu last September 2019.
Military reports disclosed “Yusop” was monitored with the Abu Sayyaf Group and reportedly carry firearms as disclosed by freed kidnap victims.
The AFP Western Mindanao Command is in the process of informing the Egyptian Embassy at Legaspi Village in Makati.
General Corleto said “Yusop” has been with the Abu Sayyaf Group for the past three years and was part of the group under the late sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Patikul, Sulu.
The two Abu Sayyaf Group members killed in the encounter were identified as Abu Khattab Jundullah, also known as Saddam, a brother of the lat4e Daulah Islamiyah/Abu Sayyaf Group member Midi Alih, earlier killed in Sulare Island and one known as Akram, one of the trusted lieutenants of Mundi.
Saddam was also acknowledged as one of the ordnance trainers in Sulu and Basilan with Mundi Sawadjaan.
According to military reports, soldiers from the 4th Light Reaction Company were on routine patrol when they encountered the undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf Group members in Barangay Igasan, Patikul at about 10:45 P.M., Friday.
A ten-minute firefight took place and the armed group escaped in different directions. While in their mopping up operations, they discovered the remains of the three ASG members. The remains were brought to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista in Busbus, Jolo, Sulu.
The military recovered three high-powered firearms, an M653, an M-203 and an R4, assorted magazines and ammunition.
Military sources said there are still four foreign nationals with the Abu Sayyaf Group. There are two Indonesians, another Egyptian and an Arab national. (Melo M. Acuña)