The clash between the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members and Philippine Army occured at 4:30 p.m. in Sitio Kan Jalul in Brgy. Maligay, said Marine Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the AFP. It took the lives of 15 soldiers during the clash.
He further shared that the AFP's 35th and 21st Infantry Battalion battled with "more or less 120 heavily armed terrorists". The terrorists withdrew eventually as Army reinforcements came.
Pfc. Jison B. Falcasantos is one of the identified soldiers and is making rounds online. Her mother has personally received a text message from Abu Sayyaf member telling her about her son's death using Jison's phone.
Those killed in the operations were identified as the following:
2Lt. Ernan P. Gusto, 33
SSgt. Ruel A Catubay, 39
Sgt. Jay Erwin L Almohallas, 38
Cpl. Omar M Raddulan, 41
Cpl. Ronald M Galoniga, 33
Cpl. Elid S Ismael, 49
Cpl. Salik H Mandangan, 31
Pfc. Nestor C Bacaling, 26
Pfc. Jison B Falcasantos, 28
Pfc. Gerald A Yubal, 29
Pfc. Dhendo A Dujo, 32
Pfc. Roselito A Arnoco, 29
Pfc. Glend C Resma, 24
Pfc. Rogelio D Vincoy, 28
Pvt. Jonas A Lumayan, 23
"As we gaze at the national flag that flies at half mast anew, soldiers knew that one too many hero among them has again offered his life—that others may live," General Ricardo Visaya, AFP Chief of Staff, said.
He added that their campaign against the ASG will continue.
Meanwhile, President Duterte announced that he is closing doors on peace talks with the ASG Bandits.
According to Duterte: "I am very sorry to say but there will be no [peace] talks about these things with the Abu Sayyaf,"
"I will not deal with persons with extreme brutality. There is no redeeming factor or reason for me to sit down and talk with criminals," Duterte added.
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