Two killed in gunfight between Abu Sayyaf-linked armed group and Philippine govt troops

Firefight erupts when Philippine government troops try to arrest an ex-politician in Sulu.

Philippine government troops' vehicles near the firefight scene in Sulu province on June 24, 2023. (PNP pic)

SULU: One policeman and an alleged member of a private armed group were killed when government troops serving warrants against an allegedly Abu Sayyaf Group-linked former politician were waylaid by armed men in the southern province of Sulu on Saturday (June 24), police said. 

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a statement Sunday (June 25), a member of their elite Special Action Force was killed in the firefight, while 14 others on the government side were wounded, including one soldier, during the firefight in Maimbung municipality. 

Authorities were serving warrants on former Maimbung vice mayor Pando Mudjasan in Bualo Lipid village at 7:30am when they were fired upon by a group of armed men and a gunfight subsequently ensued. 

The arrest and search warrants were for murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. 

According to Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director, Mudjasan is a commander of the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari, ABS CBN News reported. 

He is also accused of coddling and supporting members and sub-leaders of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, the report further said. 

There are still undetermined casualties and wounded from Mudjasan's group, said Lt. Col. Dominador D Mauricio, the commander of 7th Special Action Battalion, in the statement. 

Mudjasan evaded arrest as he had received an alert, added Mauricio.

The slain policeman, identified in the statement as Pat Regim L Gacod, a member of Mauricio's unit, was declared dead on arrival at Maimbung Hospital. 

The firefight ended at about 5:30pm and the government troops recovered one M14 rifle, four magazines, assorted ammunition and other personal items from the clash site.

"I commend the valour and dedication displayed by our law enforcement personnel who participated in the operations. Despite the inherent risks involved, they fearlessly carried out their duty to serve and protect our communities," PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in the statement.

"The PNP will use all our assets and forces to hunt down those people who are involved and we will not stop until they are behind bars."