Marines kill 5 ASG bandits in Sulu clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY –- Philippine Marine forces have killed five Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands in a clash in the province of Sulu, a top military official announced Tuesday.The troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 (MBLT-8) troops have recovered seven high powered firearms abandoned by the ASG brigands.Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander said the clash broke out around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Liang, Patikul municipality.Arrojado said the clash ensued when the MBLT-8 troops led by Lt. Col Wilfredo Manalang chanced upon 40 ASG brigands led by Ninok Sapari while on combat operations.Arrojado said the troops recovered the remains of the five slain ASG brigands. The cadaver was turned over to the barangay officials for proper disposition.He said the recovered firearms included the followingand M-14 rifle M-16 Armalite rifle a Garand rifle an M-4 rifle two M-203 grenade launchers and an M-79 grenade launcher.Also recovered were hundreds of assorted ammunition and war materials of high intelligence value.Arrojado said no one among the MBLT-8 troops were either killed or injured during the clash.Arrojado said the troops are still in the area tracking down the ASG brigands. (PNA)JMC/TPGJR