Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Four members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed early Sunday morning during Western Mindanao Command operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The troops of the 64th Marine Company, Marine Special Operations Group clashed with ASG forces at Brgy. Lumipad, Talipao, Maimbung, Sulu at 4:30am.
Colonel Cirilito Sobejana of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu deployed the marines after informants reported the presence of armed rebels in the area. Heavy firefight erupted shortly after.
After the encounter, the WesMinCom also recovered two M-16 rifles and two M-203 grenade launchers from the scene.
On Friday morning, ten ASG members led by senior leader Radullan Sahiron were killed in a gunfight with JTF Sulu, including two kin of senior ASG leader Radullan Sahiron.
Read: 10 ASG members killed; AFP gaining grounds in Sulu
Read: 5 Abu Sayyaf members killed in Sulu clash
This totals to 28 ASG casualties and apprehensions in the past two weeks.
“These successes would not be possible if not for the swift reaction of the troops and the help of the informants,” said Major General Carlito Galvez Jr.
“Our troops are more than motivated to go after these bandits who know nothing but to victimize innocent civilians for their own personal gain,” Galvez added.
The Armed Forces reported at least 31 foreign and local hostages remaining captives of the Abu Sayyaf group, after the beheading of German national Juergen Kantner.
Read: AFP confirms: Abu Sayyaf beheaded German victim
