August 15, 2012, GMA News, Soldier killed, three others hurt in Basilan clash with Abu Sayyaf,

August 15, 2012, GMA News, Soldier killed, three others hurt in Basilan clash with Abu Sayyaf,
3:13 pm

An elite government soldier was killed while three of his comrades were wounded following a clash with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in the southern province of Basilan Wednesday morning, a regional Army spokesperson said.

In a text message to reporters, Capt. Alberto Caber of the Army's 1st Infantry Division said at 8:45 a.m., operating troops of the 20th Special Forces Company chanced upon 35 bandits led by Juhaibel Alamsirul alias Abu Kik on the boundary of Barangays Baiwas and Pamatsaken in Sumisip town.

The ensuing firefight lasted for 30 minutes, Caber said. 

The identities of the government casualties were not immediately available.

Casualties on the side of the al Qaeda-linked bandit group were also not available.

The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed by authorities behind a spate of bombing and kidnapping activities both in Metro Manila and southern Philippines. — RSJ, GMA News