[PhilStar] Seven Abu Sayyaf rebels and three Philippine marines were killed in a clash in Patikul, Sulu on Friday. Three other soldiers were injured in the encounter. Military spokesman Gerry Besana said troops who conducted pursuit operations recovered the body of one of the dead militants as well as his M14 rifle and several rounds of ammunition. “He said, A number of severely wounded bandits... could have died due to loss of blood."
”Twelve persons were apprehended for identification amid the exchange of gunfire. They are being interrogated by the troops,” Besana said.
Meanwhile, in Maguindanao, nine Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered in General SK Pendatun town also on Friday. The BIFF militants led by Parido Balabagan, alias Banog, turned over assorted firearms, grenade and rocket launchers and two rifles to the military.