By Roel Pareño
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Nine members of the Abu Sayyaf including two wives of the group’s leaders were killed during clashes between government troops and the bandits since last Sunday in Maimbung, Sulu, the military said.
Some 15 other bandits were wounded in the ongoing operations launched by the Marines Special Operations Group (MSOG) under 64th Marine Company.
Among those killed in the encounter at sitio Tundun, Barangay Ipil, Maimbung town were the wives of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Jihad Idang Susukan and Aktar Susukan.
The Marines Special Operations Group initially attacked the Abu Sayyaf group about 4:30 a.m Sunday and resulted in four militants killed and seven high-powered rifles recovered.
Government troops launched the offensive last week and had reportedly resulted in the death of 24 Abu Sayyaf members and 21 others wounded.
At least 28 soldiers were also wounded in the latest clashes.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed that eliminating the Abu Sayyaf and stopping its kidnap-for-ransom activities is a complicated issue that cannot be solved by military force alone.
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