ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Seven people, including four suspected Abu Sayyaf fighters, were killed while two others were wounded in a clash in Sulu Tuesday, a military official said.
Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the clash between a group led by Jul Hamidi of Barangay Upper Kamuntayan, Talipao and the suspected Abu Sayyaf members led by Al Arod, son of sub-commander Arod Wahing, occurred at around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday in Sitio Kan Hassan, Barangay Bud Bunga.
The Arods and Hamidis have long been at odds, Sobejana said.
Among the dead were Al Arod and Jul Hamidi.
Sobejana said troops of the Army’s 21st Infantry Battalion are tracking down the Abu Sayyaf gunmen, who fled into the forest.