At least 20 Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed in a dawn raid on Thursday after the military targeted a makeshift camp in Sumisip, Basilan.
Colonel Juvymax Uy of the Joint Task Force Basilan said: “Heavy bloodstains were found in the vicinity, with intel reports rounding no less than 20 ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) fatalities from the combined airstrikes and indirect fires.”
The military launched the operation against the Islamic State-affiliated group after recently surrendered Abu Sayyaf members and local residents tipped them off about a temporary encampment in Barangay Pamatsaken.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Bacala, commander of the 4th Special Forces, said that through the use of “night fighting capabilities” they were able to “inch within a hundred metres of the enemy under the cover of darkness”.
Two soldiers were wounded in the operation after retreating terrorists detonated an improvised explosive device (IED).
After several hours of fighting, the makeshift camp — capable accommodating up to 40 fighters — was taken at about 10am.
Recovered from the seized camp were three live IEDs, components capable of making about 30 more and food supplies.
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