Army officer killed in clashes with ASG

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists killed a Philippine Army officer and wounded nine other soldiers in fierce clashes amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the southern province of Sulu, a regional military commander said on Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command, said the fighting erupted in Barangay Pansul in Patikul town after soldiers launched an assault on the lair of the ASG, a pro-Islamic State band blamed for a spate of terror attacks in the Muslim province, about 79 nautical miles from here.