Two soldiers die in Sulu ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY(PNA) – Two soldiers were killed in an ambush staged by suspected members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu, a top military official disclosed Monday.Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, identified the slain soldiers as PFC Rey Lucasan and PFC Bryan Sayson both assigned with the Alpha Company of the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion.Arrojado said the duo, dressed in civilian clothes, were driving motorcycles on the way back to their detachment when four ASG members ambushed them around 5 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu.Arrojado said that based on police investigation the ASG members who staged the ambushed were followers of the Ajang-Ajang group led by Muammar Askali.Arrojado said three of the four suspects were identified as Alvin Jumaidi, a certain Surata and a certain Mujir.He said that Jumaidi was apprehended last May 25 for illegal possession of firearms but was later released on orders of the court.He said the cadavers of Lucasan and Sayson were transported to their respective hometowns aboard a commercial ferry via this city.He said Lucasan is from Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur while Sayson is from Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.Meanwhile, Arrojado said that troops have clashed with more or less 10 gunmen believed to be the ambushers while in pursuit of the suspects.Arrojado said the clash ensued around 7:45 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu.He said the firefight lasted for about five minutes after which the ASG members fled.He said the troops have recovered from the clash site an M-16 Armalite rifle, a caliber .30 rifle and a cellular phone. (PNA)CTB/TPGJR