FIVE Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed and another was captured in a fierce firefight with government troops Tuesday morning in Capual town in Sulu, Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said.
“The firefight started at around 8 o’clock this morning between soldiers from the Marines Special Operations Group and the terrorists led by ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya in Baragay Talok-Talok,” Petinglay said in a phone interview.
She said the soldiers engaged more than 40 Abu Sayyaf men in a 20-minute battle.
“We’ve initial reports here on the enemy casualties at five. There could be more. One was captured. We’ve no report so far of dead or wounded on the side of our Marine troopers,” Petinglay said.
She said the troopers also recovered four M16s and four M14s.
At the same time, Petinglay said they were trying to confirm reports that Misaya’s group was trying to escape with some unidentified hostages.
“The Joint Task Force Sulu is continuously conducting clearing and hot pursuit operations in Capuan Island for possible recovery of the kidnap victims,” she said.
Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. has ordered more blockades to all escape routes.
Misaya’s group was based in Indanan town.
