Abu Sayyaf terrorist killed, nine Filipino commandos injured in firefight

Militant was wanted for a string of murders.

The wounded police commandos are all members of the 7th Special Action Battalion. Pictured is a police commando. (File pic for general illustration: Facebook/Special Operations Forces Philippines)

SULU: An alleged Abu Sayyaf terrorist was reportedly killed and nine Philippine police commandos were wounded in a firefight in Sulu on Saturday (Sept. 23), apparently spoiling the mood in the southern province which had been declared by authorities free of the terror group recently. 

Police dispatched troops to the remote municipality of Panamao to serve an arrest warrant on Muksidal Jumadil, a wanted Abu Sayyaf member, in his hideout in Seir Hagad village after villagers tipped off authorities about his presence, the Manila Times reported.

Jumadil opened automatic fire on the commandos, sparking a fierce gunbattle that eventually resulted in his killing.

The wounded commandos, all members of the 7th Special Action Battalion, were rushed to a hospital. A captain and two of his lieutenants were among the injured.

Police said Jumadil was wanted for a string of murders in the Sulu but gave no further details.