It was reported that eleven Philippine soldiers were killed and fourteen (14) wounded on Friday when the troops clashed with dozens of Abu Sayyaf militants allied with the Islamic State group. According to Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana (Regional military commander), the army scout rangers engaged the militants of Abu Sayyaf in the forested mountain off Danag village in Patikul town (Sulu province) and the battle lasted for an hour before the militants withdrew. The militants were believed to be led by Radulan Sahiron and Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan (the Abu Sayyaf commanders) who were blamed for kidnappings for ransom and beheadings in the region. The Philippine military has been staging on-and-off offensives against the Abu Sayyaf militants and the clash shows the problems the country is having in addition to the coronavirus.
Source: Viewers Corner News.