[PhilStar] Philippine authorities yesterday confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf death toll in a recent clash in Patikul, Sulu has increased to seven from three as earlier reported. The encounter on Minis Island on December 13 also left a Marine trooper dead and three others injured.Ten rebels were captured in a pursuit operation in a mangrove area where the fighting erupted, according to Rear Admiral Rene Medina, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM). He said the Navy’s BRP Juan Magluyan and BRP Waray were deployed to reinforce the pursuing troops and prevent the insurgents from escaping.
Medina attributed the success of the military operation to the cooperation between the military and the local officials as well as the villagers.